Erik ten Hag has explained why Lisandro Martinez and Frenkie de Jong are needed at Man United

Manchester United already have a lot of positives to build on this pre-season.

They’ve netted eight goals in two games, with a number of young players impressing and all squad members getting a decent run-out - all without Cristiano Ronaldo. But it’s the one goal they have conceded, against Melbourne Victory, that will irk Erik ten Hag.

He’s already admitted so, shortly after the 4-1 win in Australia. "I don't want to talk about the individual because I think it was from the start, high up the pitch, the wrong choices and then it ends up like a pack of cards,” he said.

READ MORE:Erik ten Hag slams Manchester United defending for Melbourne Victory goal

"It's not one individual, it is more the team who made mistakes." It was the first, and arguably only, time United looked weak at the back, but it did seem a tad disconcerting.

Ten Hag played what many believe is his current first choice XI, and Melbourne were able to unpick the lock with a simple counterattack. The manager's aggressive style of play involves full-backs bombing up the flank, overlapping and underlapping the wingers as much as they can. But when Melbourne broke quickly, they were too high to retreat in time, leaving Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof exposed at the back.

Lindelof was outpaced relatively easily, leaving Maguire stranded. It detailed why Ten Hag has been relentless in his pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and Lisandro Martinez.

The United boss will know that such a scenario may arise a number of times under his tactics. Martinez - who is close to securing a transfer from Ajax - has the acceleration needed to backtrack.

He would have been able to cope with Ben Folami’s burst of pace and cut out the danger. Meanwhile, De Jong’s presence arguably would