Erik ten Hag desires Manchester United to be nastier and more intelligent as the manager strives to reestablish them as contenders.

After United rallied to defeat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Thursday’s Europa League group encounter, Ten Hag opined that they must play with more aggression and be more streetwise to avoid unnecessary yellow cards. In the opening seconds of Sunday’s 6-3 loss against Manchester City, Diogo Dalot was cautioned for a challenge on Jack Grealish.

Ten Hag stated, “I am familiar with the term ‘nasty’; in this way, we can advance and occasionally play a bit smarter. As if we had too many reservations. I am confused as to why we collect so many items. As with the first reservation on Sunday, I do not comprehend.

“We want to play aggressively and keep the game going, but Diogo is already cautioned in the second minute. It was a foul, but a yellow card? Also, I observed other reservations that made me question their necessity. But also communicate with the players. I must constantly remind them to play intelligently, but they must also play aggressively.”

Ten Hag believes United’s lopsided loss to City was due to a lack of passion. “It’s like a ritual, a way of life, and you must bring it to every practice as a team and as an individual,” he said. “It’s not something you can establish or develop in a week or a month; it’s a system that must exist and a requirement in elite football.

“It is evident that City is the benchmark in this regard. There are also more teams. But I believe we can accomplish that. We have demonstrated this against Liverpool and Arsenal, but now we must do it consistently; this is what we must work towards. It will not occur immediately. Additionally, it will take months, not weeks.”

United remained in Cyprus to train at the AEK Arena on Friday in preparation for Sunday’s clash against Everton. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek are unavailable, while Raphael Varane is subject to a fitness test.