David de Gea spoke about how Manchester United have improved under Erik ten Hag as they prepare for the resumption of the Premier League after missing out on Spain’s World Cup squad.
Speaking to ANI News at an event in India attended by a number of United players not involved in Qatar, the number one described the difference between United this season and those of recent years under the likes of Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. :
“I think that this year we want to dictate games and we want to have the ball. We seek to play from behind and put pressure on the teams, pressing high in the opposite field.
“We’re trying to keep the ball in the opponent’s half, try to score goals and win games.”
There were difficulties in instilling such an approach, as De Gea himself struggled to perform at the required level at the start of the campaign.
His own form has improved dramatically since then and the Spaniard believes that having time to adjust under the new training structure has been key to the evolution under Ten Hag.
“The beginning of the season was a bit difficult,” he said. “After that, we started playing excellent football, winning games.
“We had a new coach and new players, so we needed a bit of time to find out how the coach wants us to play, but I think we are in the right direction winning games and playing very well.”
Fans are hoping the extra time in training camp will serve as a boost for players who missed out on playing in the World Cup.
As of now, De Gea joins Donny van de Beek and Anthony Elanga in India, supporting the United We Play initiative.
The company’s aim is to support grassroots football in India and inspire young talent across the region and is in its third season.
If United can continue to dictate games, press high and keep the ball in dangerous areas, they will inspire fans around the world when their season restarts.
