Manchester United have got their own ‘mentality monsters’ as they head to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp coined the phrase after Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to win the FA Cup last May, three months after overcoming the same opponents in a shootout at Wembley to lift the Carabao Cup.
United are also chasing a domestic double this season after beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final last weekend before knocking West Ham out of the FA Cup in midweek to reach the quarter-finals.
Asked if he has his own mentality monsters ahead of the Liverpool clash, Ten Hag said: ‘I think our team, our mentality in general is very good.
‘I think we also have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary.
Manchester United players have bounced back from a torrid 21/22 campaign under Ten Hag
United travel to face their fierce rivals Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday
Bruno Fernandes (left) and Casemiro (right) have demonstrated their leadership qualities throughout the season
‘I think we are happy with this process but it can always be better. That has to be the approach.’
United signed two leaders in Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez last summer, and that has clearly helped to give the team a stronger mind-set this season.
Ten Hag was asked how else he has managed to change the attitude in the dressing-room. ‘It’s difficult to say in a few words or a few sentences,’ he replied.
‘It’s more the total package, more like I said, the philosophy, culture, strategy and to bring that forward consistently, day by day.’
Erik ten Hag believes his squad of superstars contains ‘many leaders who set the mentality’
Manchester United players look a completely different outfit this season and have already lifted silverware
Beating Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford in August was key to the revival after Ten Hag’s first two games in charge ended in painful defeats to Brighton and Brentford. They have lost just four times in 39 games.
However, he was reluctant to compare United’s position with where they are now. ‘It’s in the process,’ he added. ‘It was a few months back, now we are in a different process.
‘It’s a different period, so I don’t look back, I look forward. I look forward to Sunday and I’m really going to enjoy this.
‘We don’t have to compare. It’s about the future, it’s about now, so we face a fantastic opponent and we’re looking forward to it. So it’s all about us getting the right preparation and to be ready for that game.’
source: dailymail.co.uk
