Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United fans to prepare for a slow start to the season as his players get up to speed.
Ten Hag was without several key members of the squad for the US tour due to international commitments, including Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho.
The Dutchman has said he will not “take any risks” with players ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday and suggested it may take time to get going when the Premier League season gets underway.
“I can see that because we didn't have time together,” Ten Hag said.
“We have to work on our game model to find the patterns. It was a break, everyone played Euro Cups, Copa America, so they were in different teams, with different game models and different patterns.
“Now we have to sort this out. It's complicated. I'm not the only one who has to deal with this problem, but there are also teams with fewer international players who can do a proper pre-season, so they are probably ahead of us. We have to deal with this in the next few weeks without losing points.”
Ten Hag will be without injured Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund for the start of the season. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all doubts for the City game, so Martinez, Jonny Evans and Diogo Dalot could be United's only fit senior defenders at Wembley.
Their Premier League campaign begins with a home game against Fulham on August 16 and Ten Hag said he is not prepared to risk further injury to lift the Community Shield.
“We know we can beat City and that doesn't depend on the result on Saturday, that won't change that belief,” he added.
“The FA Cup was a bigger game than Saturday's. We want to win, though, but we showed at times that we can beat City.”
“We have that belief, but we don't want to take risks with players and lose them for long periods because that's what we have to learn from last season, because when you get into a pattern where we're missing a lot of players from the same team due to injuries, that affects the results.”
“We want to get results and for that the players have to be available.”
Despite strong speculation about his future at the end of last season, Ten Hag was backed this summer with a new contract until 2026.
And former United striker Robin van Persie has backed Ten Hag and new assistant manager Rudd van Nistelrooy to bring greater success to Old Trafford.
“I had the luxury of spending a few days with him on the pitch. Twice,” Van Persie, who recently took charge of Heerenveen, told ESPN Netherlands. “Two years ago and last season. I know his modus operandi. I know what he is like as a person. I know what he is like as a coach. I know how challenging he is at Manchester United.
“Manchester United is a big club. There are a lot of new people here now. It's a big challenge for him on and off the pitch. I know he can do it. I trust Erik. I also know Ruud van Nistelrooy, of course. Erik has an incredibly good player there. Ruud is loyal, Ruud is a lover, he works incredibly hard and he can teach the strikers a thing or two, I think.”
Ten Hag led Manchester United to FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins in his first two seasons, but a first league title since 2012-13 remains elusive.
“He's won two cups, he's won prizes in the meantime and he's building his style of play,” added Van Persie. “I've seen the lads. They want to work for him. Hopefully he can take the step to make it a title. That's what I expect from him.”
