Erik ten Hag is aiming for improvement as Manchester United look to build on their opening day win when they travel to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
The Dutchman was retained as manager after ending a poor season by winning the FA Cup and started his third Premier League season as manager with a late win on the opening night.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee made a dream debut, scoring a last-minute goal to secure a 1-0 win against Fulham, but Ten Hag knows there is plenty of room for improvement for his side’s first away game.
The Red Devils won 2-0 at Brighton on the final day of last season and will be hoping for another win at the Amex when play kicks off early on Saturday.
“Of course the mood is good, but it’s just one game,” said Ten Hag. “We are of course happy with the result, and also with the performance.”
“We were happy with the performance, but now we have to build on that and go into the next game.
“You don’t talk about the first game. That’s the beginning. No, you see it after five, six games, so we have to build on that start, get a win, but improve the performance.”
When asked what he wants at Brighton, he told MUTV: “We need to improve and there are elements that should be better. We have analysed the game thoroughly.”
“We identified some problems and worked on them all week, finding solutions to them but also focusing on our strengths to build on those strengths even further.
“Getting the next win, that is of course the goal.”
United will not have to worry about any new injury concerns on the trip to the south coast, with Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Rasmus Hojlund all missing again.
“We will have the same players available for the squad as last week,” said Ten Hag.
“So, names like Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw and also Victor Lindelof will not return. He has a toe problem and will return shortly, but not this weekend.
Good luck with your next steps, @_WFisch 🤝
Our #MUAcademy Defender has completed a permanent move to Championship side Cardiff City 🏴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) 23 August 2024
“Tyrell Malacia (is out), but for the rest we have a squad available and we have to name the squad for this game.”
Meanwhile, United have sold defender Will Fish to Cardiff for an initial fee of £1 million.
With add-ons, the fee could be as high as £3 million. PA understands that the deal includes a buyback clause and a 30 percent resale fee.
The 21-year-old Fish has signed a four-year contract with the Championship club.
