Erik ten Hag fires warning to Manchester United stars in first interview as manager

Erik ten Hag has warned the Manchester United squad in his first interview as manager, telling the underperforming players that ‘good is not good enough’.

Ten Hag officially took over United on Monday morning, having signed a three-year deal with the club last month.

The Dutchman arrives at Old Trafford from Eredivisie champions Ajax and joins a Manchester United side who finished just sixth in the Premier League this season.

United were expected to challenge for the title after finishing second last season and signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho last summer.

But the club’s struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 continued, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in November and Ralf Rangnick struggling in his role as interim manager.

Ten Hag says bringing success back to Old Trafford is a ‘big challenge’ and has warned his squad he expects them to ‘co-operate’ and ‘give their best every day’.

‘That is what I expect,’ the 52-year-old said in an interview with MUTV. ‘I have high expectations from myself and that is also what I demand from my squad.

‘They have to co-operate together and they have to give every day their best. And I would say, for me, good is not good enough. We have to do better.’

Asked to outline his vision for the Premier League giants, Ten Hag added: ‘It’s first: accept the current situation but also know one year ago, this club, this team was second in the Premier League.

‘There’s potential and now it’s up to us to get that out. It’s a process, it will take time but I’m convinced we will come to that point where we get success. We have to work hard and it has to be based on the right philosophy and strategy.’

More to follow…