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New Man Utd boss Ten Hag says he's no soft touch: We'll give rules and principles

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has warned the players he's no soft touch.

Ten Hag will take his players for a pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East this summer, and he said the trip would give him time to stamp his mark on the squad and help them play in the "Man United way".

He said he would be laying down some ground rules and will instill "principles and structures" to ensure his stars are getting things right and deliver consistent performances, unlike this campaign.

"[The tour will be] Useful, yes, definitely because we have to get a way of playing," he told the club's website.

"We have to present our way of playing. With our way I mean the Man United way. We will give rules and principles, so we're bringing in structures and we use that opposition to bring in the structure we want together. That will be useful to get a good start in the season."

Ten Hag said his first priority was to get United 'back on top' and restore them to the Champions League, and is also keen to win silverware but says the players need to focus on building a winning mentality before anything else.

"I said this is the project, to bring Man United back on top, but also we have to accept the current situation we are in," he added. "First of all, Man United belong in the Champions League, so that will be the first target.

"Winning is the most important, but also I have the intention to do that in a certain way and in an attacking way. If we cannot do it like that, we still have to win. That is what we have to put in our team.

"For me, every game is important. We want to win every game and that has to be the attitude from everyone. Players, but also staff and all the other ones in the club. Every game is important and we will give our best every game to win and to come forward.

"I'm happy that I am here and I will give my best and I hope and I expect that I can make them proud again, that we restore Man United where they belong. I will give my best and I will take the decisions necessary to get there."

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