'He has an aura about him' - how Erik ten Hag has impressed Manchester United players and staff

Erik ten Hag can drown out the noise. At the WACA on Thursday, there were endless cries of "Erik" and he was well within earshot. Not once did Ten Hag waver or offer a wave to the fans sheltering from the rain in the Lillee-Marsh Stand.

Those United fans should not take it personally. When Ten Hag is on the grass he might as well be on an island. United media staff made a beeline for him before the session and he brusquely gave them short shrift.

Ten Hag appreciates the supporters. Outside the W Hotel United stayed in Melbourne, there were four different holding areas for supporters. To express his appreciation, Ten Hag had the United players sign autographs and pose for pictures in all four corners.

Also read: United have a new identity under Erik ten Hag

As swirling rain threatened to flood the Optus Stadium mixed zone on Saturday night in Perth, Ten Hag conducted interviews in what was a Twitter tunnel. "Sign De Jong" and "sell Maguire" were two repeated requests. Again, Ten Hag was unmoved.

He was annoyed, though. Annoyed United's focus plummeted so drastically that they let a two-goal lead slip against Aston Villa. United staff were impressed Ten Hag's winning mentality was that intense over a friendly and they feel he has already raised standards.

United figures who deal with Ten Hag on a daily basis stress it is all about the football with him. At the WACA, Ten Hag checked the measurement of the cones that had been laid out by the coaches prior to training.

Ten Hag resisted certain duties the United manager's role entails but he has acquiesced, albeit on his terms. There was not a single post-match press conference but the succinct debriefs have arguably been more effective. No answer is wasted by Ten Hag.

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