Ten Hag tells Van Persie that Man United players dictate his tactical philosophy

Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United players dictate his tactical philosophy at the club, despite confessing he prefers to play 'attacking and proactive' football.

Ten Hag has enjoyed an impressive first season as United manager, with his side in a strong position to secure a third-place Premier League finish and the Champions League qualification that comes with it.

He also guided the Red Devils to their first piece of silverware since 2017 last month, when they saw off Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

During that final, Ten Hag's men enjoyed just 38 per cent possession of the ball as they sat back and frustrated Newcastle, who failed to break down their resilient defence on the day.

Not many would have been expecting such a pragmatic strategy from the former Ajax boss when he arrived at Old Trafford, but Ten Hag claims teams are required to 'attack with 11 players and defend with 11 players' in today's game.

'Of course I have a certain philosophy about how I want to see football,' Ten Hag told former United striker Robin Van Persie in an interview for BT Sport. 'And one thing is I want to play attacking, I want to play proactive.

'It's not about the way you want to play, but the players - they decide and they dictate the philosophy of how you play. You have to adapt, definitely.

'But for instance, for me, now football is you attack with 11 players and you defend with 11 players. So if you ask me about full-backs, you find them sometimes in positions you don't expect them. That's what I like, I'm looking for that type of player.'

Van Persie sat down with Ten Hag on his return to Carrington, where he spent three years after controversially leaving Arsenal to join United in 2012.

The Dutchman almost single-handedly delivered Sir Alex Ferguson's final Premier League title in his first season, scoring 26 goals in 38 games to help the legendary Scot bow out on a high.

He went on to ask Ten Hag about the influence Ferguson still has at United, and his compatriot revealed that he enjoys regular conversations with him.

'Every day he's here and you feel that... I think he brings the winning mentality, but also an eye for creativity,' Ten Hag said.

'[He] always [had] good strikers, you were one of them, and also big personalities who decided big games.

'I think he brought this to this club and it's great to talk with him about it.'