Steve McClaren has been speaking out about his first week back at Manchester United.
The former Middlesbrough boss was brought back to Manchester United as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistant coaches.
Ten Hag has not been at the club for very long, but has already seemingly been very busy. Speaking about his first few weeks back in Manchester, McClaren had this to say:
“It’s been a busy week, settled down after a mad week with Erik getting everything planned for the new season,” McClaren said. “Erik finished his last game [at Ajax], came to London where I met him and Mitchell [van der Gaag] and John Murtough and together we spent five or six days including [Monday] with the press. So we have spent the last week working.
“The work ethic and the attention to detail has just been exemplified in the last seven days where he’s practically met every member of staff who he is going to work very closely with and in detail has worked out the plan – what each person’s job is.
“It’s not just exciting going back to Manchester United, it’s exciting working with Erik again. And after a week with Mitchell, a very, very good coach, and hopefully together, along with the staff and John Murtough also has been a fantastic help in the process, we can begin middle of June when players come back.
“It’s a new beginning. I know Erik is looking forward to it and I certainly am. It was great to catch up with him over the last seven days and bond again and hopefully make a great team off the field that will, ultimately, produce one on the field.”
Ten Hag and McClaren face one of the toughest tasks in the Premier League at present – making United a serious title contender again.
The Red Devils have not won a title since 2013 and their highest points total after that win has been 81, which came under Jose Mourinho in 2017/18/
And with Liverpool and Manchester City constantly reaching the 90-point mark, United certainly have their work cut out.