Erik ten Hag has pressing issue to overcome at Manchester United

Manchester United are set to undergo a period of change this summer. In addition to several player contracts expiring at the club and a new coach being appointed in Erik ten Hag, the first-team squad will also have to become accustomed to a new playing style.

Ten Hag has made his vision clear based on the evidence of his time at Ajax alongside his first press conference in England. He referenced offensive football on a number of occasions when facing the media on Monday, which was reported as one of the primary reasons behind his appointment.

"It has to be about attacking football," he said. "I have to learn and I have to adjust but I also have to stay myself. I’m convinced that we can bring in the structures and the way of play that we want.”

READ MORE: What Erik ten Hag did on his first day as Manchester United manager

United's defensive game will be equally as important as their methods in possession if they are to showcase true offensive football at Old Trafford. Their defensive activity will largely determine what they are able to do in attack.

Pressing is said to form the heart of Ten Hag's defensive approach. "We have to do the pressing, the total high-pressing," he said shortly after being confirmed as Ralf Rangnick's successor.

Indeed, Rangnick encountered problems when attempting to install a similar pressing game. The Reds tried to execute his instructions on the pitch but ultimately, they didn't seem particularly suited. As a result, his team almost seemed to comprise of a mishmash of different ideas.

The German coach namechecked Cristiano Ronaldo to provide an example recently, stating: "Cristiano, and I’m not blaming him at all, he did great, but he’s not a pressing monster."

Upon inspection of United's