Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that the forward players in his team must continue to do “a lot of running” if the Red Devils are to be successful next season.

The 20-time English champions made it three wins from their three pre-season games this summer with a 3-1 victory over fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were all on the scoresheet, with the former now netting in each of his three friendly appearances this summer.

Rashford and Sancho have now scored twice each, meanwhile, with the trio impressing in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be linked with a summer exit.

Ten Hag has said that the work-rate of his forward players has been key to the team’s impressive results this summer, and he is hopeful that it will continue during the 2022-23 campaign.

“I hope we can convince them [the forwards] as they do a lot of work." A lot of running, "Ten Hag told MUTV.

“Often you see offensive players, they miss. That is what they think. In the offense, the energy." But you can see they put a lot of energy into defence and they get rewarded by scoring goals because they are winning balls high on the pitch.

“No opponent likes to get beat on the press, in the defending line. I think it’s a big advantage to do that, but you need the whole team. "