SHANGHAI: Ander Herrera has revealed Jose Mourinho's blueprint for an "aggressive, attack-minded" Manchester United next season, even if there was not too much evidence of that in the sweltering heat of Shanghai yesterday.
Mourinho likened United's 4-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in oppressive conditions at a half-empty Shanghai Stadium to a "Formula Three" car struggling to compete with a superior "Formula One" version, a reference to the German club being at a much more advanced stage of their pre-season preparations.
"At the moment, the engines are completely different," the United manager said. "At the moment, they are much sharper and you can see that easily, so it's difficult to judge my players. It happens year after year. Some good teams lose to a big result. After 10 minutes we know one team started training 10 days ago and had played one match and the other team started one month ago and has played already four games."
Herrera was more self-critical, insisting there were "no excuses" for the defeat, but the United midfielder is convinced supporters will see a very different side next season to the anaemic, ponderous, risk-averse team they were under Mourinho's predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
"I think we know what we have to do," Herrera said. "Every player is very clear. We want very aggressive players in the midfield, we want to attack and I think we are going to see a very offensive Man United but, of course, we need to be compact and we can do that as well. We want to get the ball and create as many chances as possible. You have seen we had some chances but we are just not fit enough yet. Compact, attack, aggressive and finish the chances - that's the plan."
Marcus Rashford also impressed after coming on as a half-time substitute, with the England striker's pace and movement stretching Dortmund's defence but other players fared less well. Marcos Rojo, whose future at Old Trafford is
under threat, did little to ingratiate himself to Mourinho with a dismal second-half showing. Holland forward Memphis Depay flattered to deceive again. New signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored United's only goal.
United travel to Beijing tomorrow ahead of their game against Manchester City at the Bird's Nest on Monday. Mourinho had claimed his England Euro 2016 representatives would not play on tour, but after watching Rashford get a run-out, Wayne Rooney is hoping to feature against City.
"Training has gone well, you have had three weeks off and obviously you lose a bit of fitness but I feel good so I want to get out back playing and am I am sure I will play some part on Monday," the United captain said.