Ten Hag warns United strugglers that 'good is not good enough'

Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United’s players that "good is not good enough" ahead of his arrival as manager.

The Dutchman was in the stands as United finished a miserable season with a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park yesterday.

Now Ten Hag, 52, is the man tasked with restoring the Red Devils to former glories — and uniting a seemingly disjointed squad.

While admitting they need fresh blood through the door at Old Trafford, Ten Hag knows plenty of the current crop will need to step up.

He said: "I have high expectations from myself and that is also what I demand from my squad. 

"They have to co-operate together and they have to give every day their best. 

"And I would say, for me, good is not good enough. We have to do better.

"Everywhere I was in my career, I have high demands on my players. I expect them to fight and give 100%. 

"I already mentioned that only good is good enough. No, not only that — we have to do better and they have to co-operate. 

"They have to be unified, to form a team, and to battle the opponent."

Exciting challenge

It is nine years since United last won the Premier League and Ten Hag is excited about the prospect of challenging at the top again in the future.

The new boss will be joined by Mitchell van der Gaag, his No2 at Ajax, and ex-England manager Steve McClaren as assistant coaches.

McClaren spent three years as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant between 1998 and 2001 and made Ten Hag his deputy when he took over at FC Twente in 2008.

And despite their struggles under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick this term, the incoming chief believes their second-place finish 12 months ago points to the potential of the players.

He added: "Accept the current situation but also know one year ago, this club, this team was second in the Premier League. 

"There’s potential and now it's up to us to get that out. 

"It's a process, it will take time but I'm convinced we will come to that point where we get success. 

"We have to work hard and it has to be based on the right philosophy and strategy."

And the ex-Ajax boss is keen to create a side the United fans can be proud of watching.

He said: "I would say the word 'exciting'. I really look forward to doing this job, at this club with massive history, and we want to restore it where it belongs."

On why he is excited, he added: "I think many [reasons]. First of all, we want to make the fans proud.

"Second, of course we are in this moment, the current situation is obviously not that good. It's a big challenge. I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results. 

"Also we are playing in the Theatre of Dreams. We want to entertain. But in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can't play fantastic football, we still have to win."

New faces

Ten Hag revealed that pre-season training begins in little over a month on June 27, when he will get some members of his squad back at the training ground.

He added: "First, we have a break. We will start pre-season on June 27 and I will get a few of the squad, [a few] of the individual players. 

"In certain positions we want to renew the squad, but as I said, one year ago, this squad was second in the league, so there is potential and I'm really looking forward to co-operating with the squad."