Luton Town winger Andros Townsend has spotlighted the key difference between the style of play between two Manchester United players under Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag’s men kicked off their new Premier League season this month with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
Manchester United summer signing Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench and broke the deadlock in the second half to ensure Ten Hag’s side secured all three points.
However, the Red Devils’ early momentum in the Premier League faded quickly after Brighton inflicted a 2-1 win over United at the Amex on Saturday.
Joao Pedro’s close-range header after a reckless piece of United defending allowed Brighton to snatch all three points in injury time.
United now have one match left before the start of the September international break, with Ten Hag already facing early criticism for his side’s performances.
The Red Devils will welcome Premier League rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, with kick-off slated for 4pm UK time.
Townsend on ‘tactical’ Man Utd star
Speaking on BBC’s The Monday Night Club, Andros Townsend talked highly of what he has seen from Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.
Amad Diallo played a starring role for United during the pre-season tour this summer and established himself in the first team under manager Erik ten Hag.
The 22-year-old Ivorian attacker started the Community Shield defeat against Manchester City before retaining his place for the first two Premier League matches.
Diallo has found the back of the net once this season, with the United winger on target in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton last week.
Townsend explained that Ivory Coast international Diallo “understands tactically” what Ten Hag wants from him when he doesn’t have the ball.
“You look at Amad [Diallo] who has come in, he understands tactically what’s needed from him out of possession,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“When he needs to press the full-back, press the centre-back or goalkeeper. He seems to get it.”
Townsend critical of ‘old-school’ Man Utd star
Alongside his praise for Amad Diallo, Townsend has insisted that he is still waiting for the “penny to drop” when it comes to United star Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford’s form fell off a cliff under Ten Hag last season, with the United star scoring eight times in 43 appearances across all competitions.
The 26-year-old United forward has already been met with criticism this season, with Rashford failing to pick up an assist or score in his first two league matches.
Speaking on Rashford, Townsend said: “On the other side, I think Rashford is still stuck in an old-school winger mentality where you are resting out of possession, getting your breath back and when you get the ball you go again.
“The game has evolved. I was in the same situation when I was younger, but eventually, the penny dropped.
“I think we’re still waiting for the penny to drop with Rashford and I hope it’s sooner rather than later. He needs to grasp it this season.”
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