Four ways that Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United is starting to take shape

United will return from a productive pre-season tour unbeaten

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Getty)

Manchester United will return back from their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia unbeaten and in good spirits.

Though it can be always dangerous to read too much into pre-season friendlies, impressive wins over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace were followed by a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag has got to work quickly to instil his own style of play and tactical principles on a side that lacked any sort of identity last season, while new signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez will join up with the rest of his squad imminently.