New Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has praised his players for their application during the early stages of pre-season.

Ten Hag officially started work as Red Devils manager on June 27, with a number of players reporting for training at the end of last month, before the rest of the squad, aside from Cristiano Ronaldo, joined up with their teammates at the start of this week.

Man United have now travelled to Thailand for the first leg of their pre-season tour, with the team's opening friendly of the summer coming against Liverpool on July 12.

Ten Hag has said that the club's players have been "really focused" in the early stages of his time at the club, and he has been delighted with "the energy" that they have shown thus far.

"Of course, I want to bring the energy in my team. But I must say, the players do really well. They are really focused. They bring, for themselves, the energy," Ten Hag told MUTV. "You see they enjoy playing football. They enjoy playing football together and they really work well together."

© Reuters

The Dutchman is also relishing the opportunity to build strong relationships with his players during their time together over the course of the pre-season tour.

"I have to learn, to know my squad, the personnel, the individuals, the players. That is, I think, one of the biggest advantages from the tour," he added.

"We have two weeks to work really close together and we will learn about each other because I want to learn about them and they want to learn about me, my coaches and assistants."

After the clash with Liverpool in Bangkok, Man United will head to Australia for matches against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa before returning to Europe.

The 20-time English champions will take on Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in their final two friendlies of the summer before opening their 2022-23 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.

© Reuters

Ten Hag has also said that he wants to play "a proactive style of football" at Man United, stressing the importance of the work that must be undertaken off the ball.

"We want to play a proactive style of football. On the ball and off the ball. Trying to do that has to be our intention. The coaches bring it over to the team that we are, in every situation, proactive," he added.

"We are brave and willing to have the ball, to give each other options. But also off the ball, to get the pressing style is what we're working for together."

Ronaldo has not made the trip to Thailand, as the Portugal international deals with a family issue, but there is a spot in the squad for new signing Tyrell Malacia.

A number of youngsters, including Alejandro Garnacho and Hannibal Mejbri, who were involved for the first team in the latter stages of last season, have also been included in the 31-man squad.