Erik ten Hag confirms change to Manchester United approach in preparation for Premier League

Erik ten Hag has revealed he will begin to give Manchester United's players more game time, starting with the pre-season game against Crystal Palace, in a bid to build fitness levels ahead of the start of the new campaign.

United play their third pre-season game against Patrick Vieira's side in Melbourne, following a 4-0 win over Liverpool in Thailand and a 4-1 victory over Melbourne Victory at the MCG — where today's game will also be played.

Ten Hag has so far favoured a policy of giving players 45 minutes each in pre-season games. He changed his entire outfield team at half-time in each of the opening two matches, and was asked about changing that policy against Palace.

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Asked by MUTV before the game about when he will start to give players more minutes, the United boss explained: "Today, today a lot of players will take a step to 60 minutes. That is the concern today. The fitness has to build and this is a good opportunity to do that."

On United's general progression with their performances in pre-season, Ten Hag added: "I see progression from day to day and that has to be because 7 August, we have to be ready for Premier League. Today, you have a Premier League team.

"It’s a good team. We got beaten in the last game of the season so we know we have to be good, be better to get the right result."

Ten Hag has handed a first United start to new signing Tyrell Malacia against Palace, while David de Gea and Marcus Rashford both come back into the starting line-up.

United starting XI: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; McTominay, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.

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