Manager Graham Alexander expects to give a number of players an extended run-out during Tuesday’s friendly against SK Strobl.
It will be played at United’s Austrian training base for the week, in Obertraun, with the game getting underway at 6.30pm (5.30pm UK time).
Ahead of the match, the boss gave his pre-match views to iFollow Iron.
ON THE WEEK SO FAR…
GA: It’s been really good. The players have worked really hard. We had three or four sessions again on Monday. The place is perfect for the work we need to do. To be fair to the players, they’ve approached it in the right way. It’s been a good start to the week.
ON THE WAY THE PLAYERS APPROACH IT…
GA: It’s tough, but it’s manageable - as long as the players, as individuals, look after themselves right and get the rest and recuperation they need between sessions and during night time. They know the work that’s coming the next day and they can plan accordingly. That’s part of being a professional footballer - learning how to look after your body, both in preparation for sessions and in recuperation. I like that we can observe the players 24/7 during the week. We do give them the freedom to manage their time as best they see fit.
"Looking at the way the players have trained I’ll be expecting that improvement again."
ON THE TEST AGAINST SK STROBL…
GA: Each game we’re looking for an improvement again. We’ll train again on the morning before and until we get to the last couple of pre-season games we’ll continue to do that. We have to prepare to be able to perform when a bit fatigued. It’s all about the mindset and I’m looking for a proper approach to the game from the players and to make sure we can improve on our last performance.
ON HOW MUCH GAME TIME PLAYERS WILL RECEIVE…
GA: It won’t be a complete swap at half-time like it has been the last two games. We’ll be looking to throw in the majority through 60-70 minutes and then make a few changes. If we have to give one or two players 90 minutes, we will, and then we’ll probably give other players a little longer on Friday (75 to 90 minutes). It’s about getting the length of game right for each individual player.
ON THE TARGET…
GA: It’s all about the first game of the season. Each day in pre-season we have to stretch the players, increase the work load and increase the quality. Looking at the way the players have trained I’ll be expecting that improvement again.
See much more from Graham Alexander on iFollow Iron.