Manchester United started their 2022/23 season in the worst possible manner as they lost their first two games. They were at the bottom of the Premier League table and United looked out of depth in their match against Brentford as they lost by a massive 4-0 scoreline.
New manager Erik Ten Hag was in desperate need to bounce back after that terrible defeat and put up a strong performance against Liverpool in to avoid another embarrassing defeat.
Manchester United players collectively ran 13.8 km less than Brentford during their defeat. Erik Ten Hag was upset with the players and cancelled their day off after the match and made them run 13.8 km as punishment.
Here’s how Erik Ten Hag won over the Manchester United dressing room and brought out a world-class performance against Liverpool
Erik Ten Hag held himself equally responsible for the defeat and ran the same distance as his players. According to the report by Mirror, Ten Hag was ‘physically shattered’ after running but his way to punish everyone including himself is said to have impressed his players.
Mirror’s Carrington source said: “The players were raging when they discovered their punishment for the no-show at Brentford would be an 8.5-mile run. But the moans ceased when it became clear that the manager was planning to do the same as them.”
“He didn’t have to tell anyone why. It was clear that he wasn’t going to let his players take all the blame for the performance. Ten Hag also felt he had to show that he also felt culpable. It was a tough run for the players – but it was even more gruelling for Erik – and they were impressed.”
“It may have taken a hugely physical effort, but ironically it showed that the manager understands the psychology of the modern player. You could see in the build-up to the Liverpool game that he had convinced them about the intensity and commitment he expects.”
The Manchester United players came out with flying colours against Liverpool and won the match 2-1 with an impressive performance. Interestingly, the United players ran 109.4 km collectively against Liverpool, which is almost 14 km more than what they ran against Brentford.
