Erik Ten Hag Lifts Lid On Starting XI Plans For Manchester United In Premier League Next Season

Erik ten Hag has revealed his latest thoughts on his strongest Manchester United team ahead of his fourth pre-season game against Aston Villa.

The manager has slowly been getting used to the players in his United squad and is wanting to learn more ahead of their latest challenge.

Steven Gerrard's side will prove a tough test, but the Dutchman is looking forward to seeing how the game plays out.

"I think they'll be a stronger opponent than the game before," he told MUTV pre-game. "A different system that we have to face, so I'm really curious about how we act, which quality we have deliver on the pitch,

"Of course, also mentally, because it's the last game of the trip and there's always, for a few weeks, a little bit of fatigue. Then it's about can the players stay focused, can they cooperate and act as a team."

Speaking more on the Premier League opposition, Ten Hag was extremely complimentary.

"I think they have good players, a good team, their set-up is difficult to play against, so I'm really curious how we face against them."

However, when probed about the strength of his own team, Ten Hag explained that United need to look at the bigger picture for now.

A long season awaits, with a World Cup in the middle of it. The Reds will need a large squad, with many capable of playing in the team in order to be successful next season.

"I'm not talking about starting eleven. We have to construct a squad, from there on we can pick the starting eleven for games and that will swap from game-to-game," he began to explain.

Expanding on his initial answer, Ten Hag added that there are a variety of reasons why the starting team could change.

With players forms being taking into account, but also the assessment of the opposition team.

"That will depend on the strengths of the opponent, the weaknesses of the opponent, the form of our players etcetera"

Saturday afternoon saw scares of cancellation hit the Optus Stadium after downpours of rain coming in the morning and over the night.

While United did confirm that the match will go ahead, after a final pitch inspection, the conditions will not be friendly for the style of quick passing play that Ten Hag wants his team to play.

Whilst not ideal, the manager made sure to clarify that there is no excuse for his players, even in pre-season, and he expects a solid showing in United's last game in Australia.

“It’s a wonderful stadium, it’s a pity that the pitch is not that good because our football demands a good pitch. But also, when the pitch is not that good you still have to deliver, so I demand a good performance from our team.”