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Manchester United players must be prepared to continue to “suffer” if they are to maximise their potential this season after beating Liverpool, according to manager Erik ten Hag.
United stunned their bitter rivals as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Monday, with the result made even more surprising by the manner of the defeats in their two previous games.
The Red Devils began Ten Hag’s tenure with back-to-back losses to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, the latter of whom ran out emphatic 4-0 winners in London.
Ten Hag dropped Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luke Shaw from his starting XI for the visit of Liverpool, with their respective replacements – Raphael Varane, Anthony Elanga and Tyrell Malacia – all acquitting themselves well in what was United’s first league win over the Reds since 2018.
The collective attitude of the United team attracted widespread praise due to their defensive work rate – their 232 pressures applied to an opposition player on the ball was the third-highest in the Premier League this season.
But the key for United now is to ensure Monday was not just a flash in the pan, and for them to have sustained success in building towards their objectives, Ten Hag is warning the team they have to be willing to run themselves into the ground.
“What I demand is that players bring the top spirit every day. Every day, they have to bring it to the club,” Ten Hag told United’s official website on Tuesday.
“It has to be a way of life and I hope they understand. It’s only working – high performance, high level – if you have that spirit and have that focus.
“If you accept that you have to hurt yourself, you have to suffer, to finally get the best level out of you.”
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got United’s goals on Monday, with the two England internationals generally looking lively as their movement and pace caused Liverpool’s defence issues.
Both endured disappointing seasons last term, with Sancho netting only three Premier League goals and Rashford getting four.
Indeed, Rashford’s strike against Liverpool ended a run of 997 minutes without a goal in all competitions for United since netting against West Ham in January.
Clearly, however, Ten Hag thinks they could both be crucial to United.
“I’m convinced they can be really a threat, really a weapon against every opponent,” Ten Hag continued.
“As long as their focus and energy is there with them, it is very difficult to stop them.
“So it’s about the team getting them in the right situation and also about themselves, with the right approach, right focus in the game and battling, defending, pressing. But also dribbles and combinations and runs in behind.”
