MANCHESTER UNITED up and coming star Anthony Elanga believes the Red Devils were simply not fit enough last season.
The team slumped to their worst ever points total in the Premier League as they struggled to enact interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s high pressing game.
But the 20-year-old Swede is convinced during a pre-season out here in Melbourne that things are about to change under new boss Erik Ten Hag.
Elanga said: “We’ve been working a lot, not just on the ball but off the ball as well.
“We know we weren’t as fit last season. I think we are even fitter this season, running for the team, running off the ball, running with the ball, so that elemental running and pressing is really important.
“That’s one of the things the manager has brought into the team and we are really buying into it.”
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Elanga has been part of a side that have had an impressive two games on tour so far beating Liverpool 4-0 and Melbourne Victory 4-1.
He believes there has been a step up with all the players trying to convince the new manager of their worth for the season ahead.
The 20-year-old frontman said: “I feel like everyone wants to impress, especially now we’ve got a new manager, new system, new style of player. I feel it is important everyone tried to impress, it starts in pre-season.
“Since the start he’s just brought good energy and the team has bought into it. We’ve all been enjoying every single game, the sessions, It’s all about taking it step by step.
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“We are all really looking forward to the season but we’ve got pre-season first.
“We are really enjoying it so far, scoring goals. It starts in training as well, scoring goals in training then bringing it into the games, which I think is really important.”
“We are getting to learn this manager’s style of play. It has been an amazing two weeks so far, being with him and we take it session by session and it has been really good so far.
“The new manager has come in so we need to buy into his details and this new philosophy of playing and his managerial style.
“We are taking it session by session and it’s been really good.”
United are set to face familiar foes Crystal Palace and Aston Villa next as they continue their pre-season tour.
They then go head-to-head against La Liga's Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the end of July.
Ten Hag then faces his first Premier League game at Old Trafford against Brighton.
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