Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United tactic for Aston Villa clash

Erik ten Hag has hinted at Manchester United’s approach for their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds travel to Villa Park with just one forced change from their 3-0 win against West Ham last weekend, with the injured Lisandro Martínez coming out for Raphaël Varane.

Read More: Full confirmed team news: Aston Villa vs Manchester United (Premier League)

Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho continue from the front, and those three are beginning to link up very well in recent weeks.

Last time out against Villa, Garnacho scored twice before Højlund bagged his first goal in the Premier League with a late winner at Old Trafford.

United exploited Unai Emery’s side on the break, targeting their very high backline.

Whilst the Reds were caught offside more often than not, they still were able to create chances through this approach.

“We have to catch up,” said Ten Hag. “We are improving, but we have to take the next step today. It’s another final; we have to improve, everyone, the whole team, individuals, we have to step up.”

When speaking on the opposition, Ten Hag explained that United will need to be strong in their duels before making an ‘investment’ with their runs in behind the defensive line of Villa.

“You need good organisation but also have to get into the duels – and win them. So we have to challenge them but also have to be very good on the ball, ball secure to attract them and then create spaces, we have to go then behind their high defending line.

“We have to make the runs, so we have to make a lot of investment today.”

That suggests that the United boss knows that his team might not be able to make every run work, but the volume of work will be important to make a couple of the movements work for the team.

United could close down the gap to Villa with a victory but it is not something that Ten Hag believes will come to his team without hard work.

“We have to work for the win and make it happen. It’s up to us,” he concluded.