Erik ten Hag has highlighted two areas he wants to see improvement in following ’s latest win over .
Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho were on the score sheet as United sealed a 3-1 win over Patrick Vieira’s side in Melbourne.
It extends their pre-season run of wins to three on the bounce having scored 11 and conceded two during their tour of Asia and Australia with plenty of positive signs emerging ahead of ten Hag’s maiden Premier League campaign.
United’s pressing from the front has shown early promise under the Dutchman, an area they have sorely trailed their rivals in over recent seasons.
‘I think it’s pre-season and we are happy with the improvement we see but also you see a lot of work to do,’ ten Hag told MUTV.
‘We scored some wonderful goals and that is also true.’
‘I agree [that we are winning the ball higher up in the field in dangerous positions] and that is also the demand on the team.
‘We press all day and, if we can, do that high up the pitch. But if we can’t, we get to do that in a lower block but we also have to press and do it together as a team.’
Ten Hag however is hoping to see the timing of United’s pressing improve as he spends more time working with the squad ahead of their season opener against Brighton on 7 August.
The Dutchman is also hoping to see his side keep better control of the ball in the latter stages of the game, with Palace pulling one back on Tuesday albeit after a number of changes.
Asked to name a specific area that can be improved, Ten Hag replied: ‘The timing. When you start the press. For instance, I see still switches we can avoid and we can prepare a better press.
‘And I think, also on the ball, we play well but you see, in the end, when it’s 2-0 or 3-0 up, the belief is increasing. And then, also on the ball, we can delay and we can postpone and we can fight opponents so they come out and we can speed up.
‘The 2-0 [goal], especially, was a great goal.’
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