Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are now stationed in Melbourne, Australia, and the team is eager to explore the sporty city and look forward to the challenges presented to them in their stay.
Manchester United arrived in Melbourne yesterday for the second leg of their pre-season tour, which started with an emphatic 4-0 victory over rivals Liverpool in Bangkok Thailand.
The score line and the way United went about their business on the pitch left many fans wanting to see more as Ten Hag’s high pressing and direct play style seemed to have no problem transitioning from what was being seen at training to an actual game.
Manchester United will hope to continue their winning ways tomorrow as they face Melbourne Victory in the first of two games being played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, known as the MCG.
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Melbourne, much like Manchester, is a city that lives and breathes sport, and this reputation has Erik ten Hag and his men excited about being immersed in the city’s enthusiasm for sports as it is a new location for this crop of players, because the last time Manchester United played in Melbourne was 1999.
At the time of his first press conference in Australia, Ten Hag explained that the team hasn’t ventured out into the city yet, saying:
"We haven't been able to see much yet.
“We came down here and we were in the hotel. It was a long journey out of Thailand but we see a fantastic city and you smell the sports culture."
Ten Hag is expecting a unique challenge against the A League side, saying:
“From Melbourne Victory, it will be different. I think they play in a good level and they are second in the league last year so they will have a strong squad and also I think the coach is familiar with top football.
“We are happy with this game because it is different opposition. It is always good to play against different opposition, with different culture and it will be a different approach.”
The Dutchman sees Tony Popovic’s side as a change from the usual Premier League opposition, “from Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, we know what we can expect. So we are looking forward to this game, it's going to be a good test."
Much like Erik ten Hag and the club, the fans are hoping the winning ways will continue and a distinct difference in class should be noticeable between the two teams, hopefully resulting in a similar goal fest like the first game of the tour.
Manchester United got their pre-season tour off to a successful start in Bangkok with a 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool.
The fixture against Melbourne Victory is due to kick off tomorrow morning in the UK, with it being the first of three fixtures in Australia.
After facing Crystal Palace and Aston Villa down under, Manchester United will head back to Europe to battle against Atletico Madrid in Oslo on 30 July before a final fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford the following day rounds off Tour 2022.
Erik ten Hag's men will then kick off their Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion on 7 August as the club bid to climb back into the Champions League.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Football
Tom Horn