Manchester United No2 Ryan Giggs admits the players were 'scared' last season to perform.
New boss Louis van Gaal has brought fresh optimism to the United camp ahead of the new season, but his assistant Giggs said it was up to the players to show they deserve to wear the famous shirt.
Asked if the players had performed in some 2013-14 games as if they were frightened, United legend Giggs said "Yes," and added, "The players have got to take a bit of pride in how they perform, train and play.
"There's no doubt that few players lived up to the standards of what they're capable of doing last season. They're not bad players. They're all good players.
"It doesn't change overnight, but last season's league position showed that we didn't perform individually or as a team. The way back for them has started already, in training.
"There's no time to waste. The World Cup means some don't have much time to prepare, but the recovery has to start now, getting some kind of form going in to the [season opening] Swansea game.
"I'm confident they'll show it. They've shown it so far in training. It's good and they are enjoying it.
"It's perhaps a little bit different to what they are used to. But it's a different manager with different ideas and a different philosophy."
