Erik ten Hag has urged his Manchester United players not to underestimate a “very impressive” team that “always play [at] a high level” in one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
The 54-year-old Dutchman has been preparing for Manchester United’s 2024-25 Premier League season with the club’s pre-season tour this summer.
United kicked off their pre-season campaign last week with a 1-0 defeat to Norwegian side Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion.
However, Erik ten Hag’s men bounced back from their loss to Rosenborg and secured a 2-0 win over Scottish side Ranges on Saturday.
The United manager is without several first-team players after the end of Euro 2024 in Germany and the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
Ten Hag has also seen the arrival of new signings this summer, with Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee and former Lille defender Leny Yoro signing for the club.
Ten Hag talks Man Utd opponents
Manchester United will resume their pre-season campaign on Sunday with their clash against Premier League rivals Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in California.
Erik ten Hag’s men will then face Real Betis on 1st August at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego before their final pre-season match against Liverpool.
United previously played Real Betis under Erik ten Hag, with the Red Devils coming up against the Spanish side in the Europa League round of 16.
The Red Devils thumped Betis 4-1 at Old Trafford in the first leg of the 2022-23 season before picking up a 1-0 win away from home in the return leg.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Ten Hag spoke highly of the La Liga side and what Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini brings to the table.
“Betis is a very impressive opponent. They will always play in a high level, in La Liga,” he said.
“We faced them in the Europa League two years ago and we know what we can expect from their manager.
“They have good players but also we will line up a strong team there. We will line up senior players, so that we have a strong team to win that game.”
Ten Hag looking ahead to Community Shield
Following the match against Liverpool at the Williams–Brice Stadium in South Carolina on 4th August, United will face Manchester City in the Community Shield.
United secured the ultimate bragging rights over their crosstown rivals in May after a 2-1 win over City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Ten Hag insisted that the Red Devils must prepare for their return to Wembley on 10th August for their showdown with City in the Community Shield match.
“We have to get that mentality in because at that point we don’t have so much time to go into a final – we have to prepare ourselves for the Community Shield,” he said.
“So, we have to be more competitive at that stage. That’s what we can expect from every individual player, but also as a team, and we have to make progress by that time.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/jvG5CIT