MUFC Must Play Smart And Nasty Football – Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has called on his players to play smart but nasty football. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.

According to Erik, despite the fact that he wants his players to be tougher during games, he also believes his players can be smarter on and off the ball.

Ten Hag added that he wants his football to be about the physical and mental side of the game, and also about sustainability.

His words, “I know nasty,”

“I know what nasty is. I think also in that matter we can progress. Sometimes also play a little bit more smart.”

“The first booking on Sunday, I really don’t understand that. We want to play tough, we want to keep the game going,”

“Then in the second minute already it’s a booking. I think it’s a duel, clear it was a foul, but to then get booked? Also I saw many other bookings where I think ‘OK, is that necessary’?

“But also I take it to the players. I have to keep the mirror [on them] that they have to play smart, but also they have to play nasty as well.”

“It’s physical, it’s mental but it’s also sustainability especially,”

“When you had a lack of it in the last years, it’s not something that you build or progress in a week or a month. It has to be in your system. It’s a demand nowadays in top football.”

“I think it’s quite clear that [Manchester] City is a standard in that, and there are more teams, but I think also we can deliver that.”

“We have seen it against Liverpool, we have seen it against Arsenal, but now we have to do it on a consistent basis and that is what we have to work for now.”