Be nasty but also smart, says ten Hag

LONDON - Manchester United need a ruthless, aggressive edge to their game but their players must also become more streetwise and savvy if they are to challenge for honours again, manager Erik ten Hag said before Sunday's Premier League trip to Everton.

The Red Devils have collected 23 yellow cards after seven games this season, with Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot both one booking away from five yellows and a suspension while Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes have been booked three times each.

"I know nasty... in that manner, we can progress, sometimes also play a little bit smarter. We have too many bookings and I don't understand," ten Hag said.

"We want to play tough, we want to keep the game going... but I saw many bookings where I think, 'Is that necessary?' But I also take it to the players. I have to keep reminding them to play smart but they have to play nasty as well."

United were far from convincing in their 3-2 win over Cypriot minnows Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday and travel to Goodison Park needing a swift response to their 6-3 humbling by rivals Manchester City.

But ten Hag warned it would take months for his players to develop the urgency, intensity and mindset they need to consistently compete with the best teams.

"It is physical. It is mental. It is also sustainability," he said.

"It is like a routine, a way of life, and you have to bring it to every training session, in your system, as a squad and an individual player.

"When you have a lack of it in the last years, it is not something that you build or progress in a week or a month. It has to be in your system. It is a demand in top football nowadays. It is quite clear City set the standard in that.

"We have seen it (in wins) against Liverpool and Arsenal but now we have to do it on a consistent basis. That is what we have to work for now.

"But it will not come overnight. It will take more than weeks. It will take months."

Raphael Varane will face a late fitness test to determine his availability for Sunday, but Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek remain sidelined.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also set to drop back to the bench after failing to get on the score sheet against Omonia. The 37-year-old striker has netted just once - a penalty in the Europa League - this season and has lost his place up front, with ten Hag preferring a front trio of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho.

Anthony Martial is also ahead of him in the pecking order and is pushing for a starting spot after bagging three goals in his last two games as a substitute.

Given his lack of playing time, there is speculation Ronaldo is heading for an exit in the January transfer window, but former United teammate Wayne Rooney has urged him to remain patient.

United have 12 points from seven games, with Everton, on a six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, two points behind after eight games.

REUTERS

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