Erik ten Hag may have to repeat Man Utd training ground tactic after Bayern loss

Erik ten Hag reviews the Bayern Munich game

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag may need to repeat a training tactic that he used early in his Old Trafford reign to improve his players’ running data. Ten Hag called out his players for not running enough during their defeat against Tottenham in August and appeared to run much less than Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. 

United fell to yet another defeat in Germany, losing a thrilling Champions League clash 4-3. But for large periods at the Allianz Arena, Ten Hag’s side were dominated by a much more energetic Bayern team. 

Being outrun was something Ten Hag responded to badly in the early months of his tenure. After a 4-0 thrashing by Brentford in August 2022, the Dutchman joined his players on a run to make up the distance that the Bees’ players had collectively travelled further. 

He may need to repeat that training method after United lost for the fourth time in five matches. It had a positive impact when Ten Hag took his players on a run in August last year, with the Red Devils beating Liverpool in their next match before embarking on a period of just two defeats in 17 Premier League games. 

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag claims his Man Utd squad ‘have to help’ Onana after Bayern loss[LATEST]

United’s running statistics appear to be dipping again. Ten Hag slammed his players for not running far enough when they were beaten 2-0 by Spurs earlier in the season. 

He said after that game: “For the first 35 minutes we were so good in the game. [Spurs] were nowhere, nothing, and then things happened in the game. Then [my players] got distracted, not doing their jobs anymore.

“They didn’t run. Or they run in the wrong moment, too late. Especially the front [players] didn’t recover. That is a demand from a Manchester United player and team. I am not used to it from this team, because they always do.”

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Meanwhile, Ten Hag insists he has not had a single game during his reign where he has been able to select his best team. The former Ajax head coach blamed injuries for the inconsistency this term. 

“One thing is true, from the start of last season I don’t think I ever started with, in my opinion, the best starting XI. There was always injuries,” he said.

“We always got results apart from the period we are in now. I have experienced it in the past and managed it. You have to deal with it. I like these situations because you have to handle it and know what to do, and that is focusing on the process.”

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