The Dutch manager Erik ten Hag has his own unusual but effective way of managing players in Manchester United. One of the most widely supported football clubs in the world finished 6th in the points table. Finishing 35 points behind the champions Manchester City. However, they were last of the Big 6 of the English Premier League. Furthermore, they also their ticket to the UCL this season by 13 points. Not the kind of result is been expected who has shown their dominance in England from the start. Red Devils won a record 20 League titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, as well as a record 21 FA Community Shields. Not only in England but they have also shown their dominance in Europe. By winning almost all the European competitions.
The arrival of the new manager Erik ten Hag can bring light to Manchester United‘s dark days. The Dutchman came in with a flurry in the Summer Transfer Window. With 19 players departure and welcoming 5 promising players to the “Theater of Dreams“. Erik ten Hag brought Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro as well as Martin Dubravka. But things were not all changed for the Red Devils. United lost their opening two matches to Brentford and Brighton. But, nonetheless, the Red Devils have somehow gained back their composure. By winning all the next 4 matches. Defeating last season’s runner-up Liverpool and current leaderboard holder Arsenal. But how did he really manage all of that?
Can Erik ten Hag’s managing skill bring changes to Manchester United’s condition?
The 52-years-old was a Dutch international player as well as currently a manager at the English club. Erik ten Hag played all of his senior career in the Dutch club and mostly in Twente. He came into managing business in 2012. Managing Dutch as well as German clubs.
But 52-years-old finally got his international managing breakthrough during his time in Ajax. Erik ten Hag made his arrival in 2017. And after understanding the team and its practices, he finally channelized everything in a product direction. Ajax were considered as Under-Dogs in the 2018 – 2019 UCL season. As a result, he was the first choice after the sacking of former Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.
Moreover, former Manchester City defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong said,
“Erik has 23 egos in his squad at Man United.”
“You can have the best players in the world, but you can only start building a proper side when you can turn all those egos into a team. Ten Hag has chosen his players carefully. I can see one thing, he has picked players with whom he can win a war. I can see the strategy already. Look at Martinez in the team. He has that killer mentality. Martinez will run through fire for Ten Hag.
“Antony is adding swagger. He too has a mentality what we call ‘over my dead body’. I have seen that side of Antony plenty of times. United have done really good business in my opinion. The spirit in the team has changed. Last year, if they conceded a goal, the team collapsed like a house of playing cards,” De Jong said.
“Now, we can all see the energy and strong mentality in the United team. There is a real team on the pitch again. That is a start. Then results will follow. At this moment, United are still scoring more goals from counter-attacks than from a dominant style of football.”
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