Bruno Fernandes has detailed what it has been like to train under new manager Erik ten Hag, and looked towards Manchester United's opening pre-season fixture this afternoon.
The Portuguese midfielder joined the United squad last week, alongside other international players, and is keen to get going.
While it has only been a short time, Bruno reveals how difficult the Dutch coach makes the sessions.
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This is only a good thing, as the players need to prepare properly for the upcoming Premier League season.
“No, it’s been pretty intense." Bruno told club media of Ten Hag's sessions. "He likes intense training, reactions when you lose the ball. He likes everyone to run.
“He’s been really good. Everyone is enjoying [it], obviously. Everyone gets really tired at the end of the training but that’s what we have to do.
“We have to be like that at the end of the training, but then you know the training was really good."
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The fitness problems seemed to be a criticism which crept in under Ralf Rangnick last season.
Wanting to implement a heavy pressing style, the German reverted to a more defensive set-up, as United didn't have the legs for his preferred strategy.
This cannot happen again, and as Bruno stresses, the team want to have the upper hand once the Premier League campaign is upon us.
“As I said, we have to do the hard work because, if we do it now, then we will be fit for the beginning of the season." He added.
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“We all know the first games of the season are strange, but we want to be the ones that will be winning.
“We have to do the maximum that we can and what the coach and all the staff ask us to do.”
The first game comes against Liverpool. Despite being a friendly, fans across the globe are excited to watch this fixture.
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Bruno is of the opinion that a game against the team from Anfield cannot be classed as a friendly, but reiterates the need for the team to find their match fitness ahead of the new season.
"We know what that kind of game means to our fans," He stated.
"Obviously, this is the first game of pre-season but anywhere you want to win, and you want to win these kind of games too, even if it’s a friendly match.
“As I said many times, we can never have a friendly match. As much as it doesn’t count for points or going through some stages, at the same point, we want to win the game.
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“Obviously, we want to get the shape and start to do what the coach asks of us.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty ImagesTopics: Manchester United, Liverpool, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Bruno Fernandes, Premier League