Erik ten Hag urges Manchester United to become ‘nasty’ but smart

Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to become more “nasty” and streetwise.

The Red Devils head to Goodison Park to take on in-form Everton on Sunday evening looking to make amends for last weekend’s derby defeat at Manchester City.

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks in the 6-3 derby demolition that United followed with a 3-2 comeback win against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League group stage on Thursday.

Ten Hag said that must only be the “warm-up” and called for intensity to go hand-in-hand with street-smart, having been frustrated to see full-backs Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia collect early bookings at the Etihad Stadium.

“I know nasty,” Ten Hag said. “I know what nasty is. I think also in that matter we can progress. Sometimes also play a little bit more smart.

“We have too many bookings and some in the start. I heard, yeah, in the Premier League they will play tough but I’m really wondering why we collect so many bookings and I don’t understand.

“Like the first booking on Sunday, I really don’t understand that when we want to play tough, we want to keep the game going.

“Then in the second minute already it’s a booking for (Dalot). I think it’s a duel, clear it was a foul, but then get booked? Also I saw many other bookings where I think ‘OK, is that necessary’?

“But also I take it to the players. I have to keep the mirror (on them) that they have to play smart, but also, hey, they have to play nasty as well.”

United remained in Cyprus after Thursday’s win, training at the AEK Arena before making the 2,100-mile journey back to the north west.

Ten Hag wants his players to be “brave” on the pitch when they return to action at Goodison Park as United look for a more consistent level of performance.