Erik ten Hag takes charge of Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time on Sunday and he is convinced that it will be a successful afternoon against Brighton at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman will be desperate for a positive start to his reign after a long build-up over the summer which has looked positive on the pitch, but suffered distractions off it thanks to the uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
The Seagulls are hoping to spoil the party at Old Trafford and will fancy their chances after thrashing the Red Devils 4-0 at the Amex in May.
Erik is #PL ready 🔥
💬 “It’s [about] constructing a winning culture, and that starts in the week at Carrington, with high standards, good values and hard work.”#MUFC || #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 7, 2022
However, Ten Hag is confident that his team are ready to get a good result in his competitive debut, despite having great respect for Graham Potter’s side.
‘It’s going to be a tough opponent, it’s clear. Because they have a good team, they have a team that has been together a long time,’ said Ten Hag.
‘They have a great coach who has been in co-operation for a long time, so their philosophy, their style is quite clear, and they have automatism so it’s going to be a tough opponent but I’m convinced for a good result on Sunday.
‘When we play well, we have a really good chance to win the game.’
Today’s the day.
Our 2022/23 #PL campaign starts now! 👊🔴#MUFC || #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 7, 2022
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The former Ajax boss is relishing getting underway at Old Trafford after a busy summer trying to impose his style of football on his new squad, bringing in players and moving others out of the club.
‘I really look forward [to it]. It’s really exciting to start on Sunday and we had a pretty good pre-season,’ he said. ‘I think the squad works really well. We progress, we bring in a way of playing and we’re looking forward to start the season.
‘Yeah I think we came together during pre-season and therefore the tour was good because all day you are together, so we came, I think it’s quite good to be home again and it’s a collective and now we have to show it on the pitch.’