THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

Ten Hag will take all three if it means points

ERIK TEN HAG has warned Manchester United fans to forget about the beautiful game and Dutch-style Total Football when they watch his stars.

Instead, he has warned he will be just as happy to win ugly if it means banking points – especially in games when United are below par.

The former Ajax manager is a student of the Dutch greats, who trailblazed eye-catching, swashbuckling football.

And he accepted the challenge at Old Trafford after being excited by the prospect of resurrecting a club with United’s attacking DNA.

Adventure

But, as he prepares for his first Premier League game as Reds boss against Brighton today, Ten Hag knows his first priority is winning – even though, ultimately, he wants his stars to light up football with their attacking adventure. “That’s why I am here and I like it,” he said. “The club wants to win, but win in a certain way – proactive, brave, with adventure, and I think that belongs to the culture here.

“And we want to bring that in. But if you cannot win in a good way, an entertaining way, that is the mentality and the attitude which we have to bring in.

“Of course, to win maybe sometimes it has to be ugly. Sometimes there will be games when you will not play well, but you still have to win.

“But I am looking forward to every game and every game will be a challenge. So we have to get the best out of it.

“There will be setbacks and disappointments and we will have to deal with it. Every club, every team and every supporter has to deal with it. That is the attitude we all need.

“When you show it and you have a good plan, in the end you will achieve success. I am 100 percent confident of that.”

Fans are increasingly directing anger at the Glazer family who own United, with a hardcore element intent on disruption to try to force the Americans to sell up.

But Ten Hag’s focus is to create success on the pitch – and he wants the supporters with him and the players as they embark on a new chapter.

He added: “Me, the coaching staff, the players have to do everything to bring success back onto the pitch.

“Everything starts on the pitch at the training ground – and every day you have to bring the maximum.

“Then you will develop individually and as a team. I hope for good cooperation from the fans. But we have to give the example on the pitch. If we have the right attitude – and by that I mean giving hard work and also being brave – then the fans will like it and it will bring the fight back.”

Meanwhile, Ten Hag is committed to improving young stars, such as Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, and hopes to see ex-real Madrid defender Raphael Varane (right) fit and fully firing.

The Dutchman said: “Don’t look back – look forward. I see the potential with many players in this squad and yes, I am convinced I can develop the team. First, develop the team, then we’ll see individuals develop.

Strength

“I have to analyse that clearly, but now we have to move forward. The past you cannot change, but you can change the future.

“With Varane, I’m 100 percent convinced it will be better.

“We built him during the pre-season real carefully with an individual programme and the last three weeks I think he has been on the pitch in every session and I’m really happy with that.

“You see him growing, his fitness levels and his performance levels, so I’m really happy with that. When Raphael is fit, it will be a huge strength for the squad and for the team.”