Erik ten Hag singles out two Man Utd stars as perfect examples of players with ‘winning mentality,’ he is in complete awe

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Erik ten Hag has waxed lyrical about the impressive accomplishment that two Manchester United stars achieved ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The 54-year-old Manchester United manager inked a contract extension this summer after Ineos completed an end-of-season review.

Erik ten Hag oversaw a mixed 2023-24 season at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman’s first-team squad ravaged by injuries over the course of the campaign.

United only managed to finish eighth in the Premier League table, but the Red Devils were able to capture the FA Cup trophy at Wembley in May.

Ten Hag, who will take charge of United for his third season, has been busy with the Red Devils’ pre-season tour this summer.

The former Ajax boss signed off United’s pre-season campaign on Sunday with a 3-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Liverpool in the United States.

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Ten Hag praises two Man Utd stars

Manchester United will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Wembley for their Community Shield clash against Manchester City.

Erik ten Hag’s men will kick off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign on 16th August when Fulham arrive at Old Trafford for their season opener.

The United boss was without several key first-team players during the pre-season tour, including the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez.

Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez were both away from Old Trafford representing Argentina at the 2024 Copa America.

Meanwhile, the likes of Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were away with their respective countries at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Ten Hag praised both Garnacho and Martinez for their “winning mentality” after they were presented with special awards during a United team meeting on Wednesday.

“I want to bring Licha and Garna forward because here at United, we need players with that winning mentality and they know how to win,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“Also, we want to get some accreditation for a big moment and what they achieved with their country at the Copa America.”

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Garnacho and Martinez at 2024 Copa America

Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez only recently returned to United’s Carrington training complex in the aftermath of Argentina’s 2024 Copa America win

Argentina won the 2021 edition of the Copa America under manager Lionel Scaloni before La Albiceleste lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar.

Martinez played a starring role at this summer’s Copa America and forged a formidable defensive partnership with Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero.

The 26-year-old United defender played in five of Argentina’s six matches at the tournament, with Martinez scoring in the win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals.

Garnacho, on the other hand, faced stiff competition in the starting XI and only managed one appearance for Argentina at the Copa America.