Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to be nastier and smarter as the manager attempts to make them challengers again.

After United came from behind to beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Thursday’s Europa League group match, Ten Hag said he believed they have to add an edge to their play and be more streetwise to avoid needless yellow cards. He referenced Diogo Dalot’s booking for a challenge on Jack Grealish in the opening moments of Sunday’s 6-3 loss at Manchester City.

Ten Hag said: “I know what [nasty] is – in that manner we can progress and sometimes also play a little bit smarter. Like we have too many bookings. I wonder why we collect so many and I don’t understand. Like the first booking on Sunday, I really don’t understand.