UNITED players have been surprised at the level of ambition Erik ten Hag has bought to the club in his first season and his relentless desire to win has been picked upon within the squad.
The Reds boss is nearing the end of his first season at Old Trafford, and it is set to be declared a success.
United have already ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and need one point from their final two Premier Leagues games - both at home to return to the Champions League.
Then comes the FA Cup final against City on June 3. Ten Hag's first season is likely to already be a triumph by then but there will be pressure to deny the Blues a chance to match United's 1999 treble.
You can be sure the Dutchman will be desperate to do just that and land a second victory of the season against Pep Guardiola. And after a decade of drift, United look to be on a surer path with Ten Hag in charge.
The £70m signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid was vital to transforming the playing style on the pitch and the character in the dressing room last summer, but the Brazilian is just as complimentary about Ten Hag's role in United's success this season.
"He has surprised me a lot with his ambition. We have been talking among us, and we have been saying he is a little bit heavy because he always likes to win," said Casemiro after scoring his sixth goal of the season in the win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
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