Man United left-back Luke Shaw praises ‘top, top manager’ Erik ten Hag ahead of Liverpool friendly

Luke Shaw has heaped praise on new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and says the structure he is trying to implement is something the club ‘haven’t had for quite a while’.

The 52-year-old has been putting his new squad through their paces over the last fortnight, but their preparations for the new season will intensify when they face Liverpool on Tuesday.

Ten Hag is believed to have got a tune out of the United squad through his work on the training ground, having been appointed by the club’s hierarchy in May due to his clear attacking philosophy which he demonstrated with Ajax. 

Left-back Luke Shaw has heaped praise on new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Shaw described the Dutchman as a ‘top, top manager’ and hailed the structure he is trying to impose

Tactical nous was something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick were questioned over in United’s thoroughly underwhelming campaign in 2021-22.

And speaking in Thailand ahead of the friendly against Jurgen Klopp’s men, Shaw appeared to take a dig at United’s previous two bosses, insisting the structure ten Hag wants to play with is something United did not have last season. 

‘It’s clear that he’s a top, top manager. He has a structure to play the way he wants us to play,’ said Shaw in quotes carried by The Metro.

‘We haven’t had that for quite a while, and it was clear to see last season, which was extremely disappointing

Ten Hag is believed to have got a tune out of the United squad on the training ground

‘We have to bounce back [from last season] and he has been working us extremely hard, but I think we need it.

‘We’re really looking forward to this season because I know it’s going to be much better than the last one.’

United endured a difficult season last time out, finishing sixth in the Premier League and extending their run without a trophy to five seasons.

Their first game under their new boss against their arch rivals in a friendly in Bangkok however could be hindered by the absence of centre-back duo Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire.

There were doubts about the tactical nous of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) and Ralf Rangnick (L)

The Red Devils held two sessions on Monday with the first at the STB Academy before moving on to the Rajamangala Stadium, the venue for the friendly, with Varane missing entirely from the latter one.

The 29-year-old did train with the team on Monday morning but was absent for the open session which was conducted in front of a few thousand fans.

Ten Hag’s problems were compounded with Maguire not taking part in team training too.

Unlike Varane, the captain was present at the Rajamangala Stadium but trained away from the rest of the squad.

Defender Raphael Varane missed United’s opening training session on Monday in Thailand

Harry Maguire did not taking part in training too – instead working out away from the squad