Manchester United: Erik ten Hag runs about a bit, his new players are said to be impressed - The Warm-Up

WEDNESDAY’S BIG STORIES ERIK IS ONE OF THE LADS Ad Football — the adage goes — is a funny old game. Premier League'I know exactly why he chose this club' — Varane pleased to reunite with 'warrior' Casemiro19 HOURS AGO Last weekend, Manchester United — 13-time winners of the Premier League — were humbled 4-0 by Brentford. The following day, Erik ten Hag cancelled a day off, and instead made his side do a 13.8km run as that was the distance Brentford collectively ran more than United in the day's previous match.

This is what the manager said of United's lack of running: “You have to bring at least the same as the opponent but when I say at least, we have to do more in and out of possession.” The Dutchman was pilloried in some quarters for what was deemed a Draconian, out-of-date punishment. And then Manchester United ran their socks off as they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League to breathe life into their season and apply pressure to their fiercest rivals, who sit 16th in the table with the sum total of two points from three games. It would, in the wake of that win, emerge that Ten Hag had not just ordered his players on that extra run, but had taken part too.

His decision to run a bit had left the players «impressed» report The Mirror. It seems a low bar if you ask the Warm-Up's worthless opinion. Anyhow, the report adds the coach «wasn't going to let his players take all the blame for the performance», which seems a fairly logical decision given he is the manager.

The Dutchman is now being widely hailed as a master man-manager just a matter of days after being derided. It seems, then, that Ten Hag is very much one of the lads rather than an out-of-date authoritarian school teacher. It is a funny old game indeed.