Erik Ten Hag

[hdcantona 9,000]

14 hours ago, O said:

The main difference between this season and the last few seasons has been his removal of McFred from the starting XI.

Casemiro and Eriksen are two very experienced midfielders. They offer that extra security on the ball. Less panic. They also have the quality to influence games at the other end of the pitch. 

The only worry with those two is that they both turn 31 in February. So you're talking two and a half seasons at most with the both of them playing in a pivot. If even.

A DM/CM will have to be signed eventually.

United have kept 4 clean sheets in a row without Lisandro Martínez. So you could say that maybe his influence has been overstated. Antony hasn't done a whole lot outside of a few nice finishes vs Arsenal and City. Early days for those two.

Binning McFred, building Dalot's confidence, and dealing with the Ronaldo situation well overall, have probably been his biggest contributions up to this point.

 

 

This combined with harmonising the dressing room a bit and literally just doing some basic hands on coaching which we've clearly lacked for years has made a big difference 

I thought 6th maybe 5th was likely given our squad at the start of the year (I wrote it somewhere), but now we've binned ronaldo and a few players have regained form or improved then I think we should definitely be aiming for at least top 4 given how poor some of those around us have looked, especially if we loan in a semi competent striker option

Now, we're still not even half way into the league season and we don't know who's going to retool in what way in Jan, we will no doubt hit a slump at some point, but I think it's achievable. Ultimately, as long as we continue to see patterns of play develop and come the summer ETH knows who needs binning and what he wants in then I'll be happy 

[hdcantona 9,000]

Ten Hag:

 

"Manchester United didn't exactly have the fear factor last season. There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad. The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider - and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club. I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘how did Manchester United become great?"

 

"And for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity, spirit. You just couldn't beat them."

 

"United always had top strikers like Cantona, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. And top goalkeepers like Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea."

 

"And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. That’s the culture of Manchester United. I looked at that very carefully and then saw that last season's team looked fragile and vulnerable."

 

“When we get players, you look at their quality and technical skills. But you also look at their mental quality, that mental resilience - and we had to bring that back.”

 

"The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough."

 

"Most purchases have been average - and at United average is not good enough. United's shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here."

 

"We needed personalities. That's why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles."

 

"Malacia, Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard."

 

"I think we should be satisfied with where we are now given the bumps encountered in the early part of the season. We are not yet competitive with Manchester City - and I still see that club as a step too high at the moment."

 

"I also expect Liverpool to be right back - and I see them, together with City, as the two teams to beat in England. Also, Arsenal are having a super season and are already far ahead in the league."

 

"Below that, we have to battle with Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs for the Champions League ticket, so the competition is huge. The club's aim is to play in the Champions League again. That should always be our goal. If we achieve that, it will feel like our championship." 

[O 20,624]

57 minutes ago, hdcantona said:

Ten Hag:

 

"Manchester United didn't exactly have the fear factor last season. There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad. The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider - and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club. I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘how did Manchester United become great?"

 

"And for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity, spirit. You just couldn't beat them."

 

"United always had top strikers like Cantona, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. And top goalkeepers like Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea."

 

"And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. That’s the culture of Manchester United. I looked at that very carefully and then saw that last season's team looked fragile and vulnerable."

 

“When we get players, you look at their quality and technical skills. But you also look at their mental quality, that mental resilience - and we had to bring that back.”

 

"The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough."

 

"Most purchases have been average - and at United average is not good enough. United's shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here."

 

"We needed personalities. That's why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles."

 

"Malacia, Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard."

 

"I think we should be satisfied with where we are now given the bumps encountered in the early part of the season. We are not yet competitive with Manchester City - and I still see that club as a step too high at the moment."

 

"I also expect Liverpool to be right back - and I see them, together with City, as the two teams to beat in England. Also, Arsenal are having a super season and are already far ahead in the league."

 

"Below that, we have to battle with Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs for the Champions League ticket, so the competition is huge. The club's aim is to play in the Champions League again. That should always be our goal. If we achieve that, it will feel like our championship." 

Both of these are sackable offences.

[nirav 1,161]

He has a tough period ahead where the real progress if any will be found out. Critical weeks ahead.

[hdcantona 9,000]

https://theathletic.com/4121749/2023/01/30/manchester-united-ten-hag-process?source=user-shared-article

Really good piece if you've got the athletic 

[nirav 1,161]

While competitors strengthening their squads this man has the task to convert mcfred in something useful.  

[Gary 194]

3 hours ago, nirav said:

While competitors strengthening their squads this man has the task to convert mcfred in something useful.  

Can't put too much faith in McFred. They've both been at OT long enuff to show us what they have to offer and , frankly, neither has the qualities to take  or contribute to Utd taking the next up to where we belong. I don't expect to see McT at Utd next season, if he is, it'll be as a constant bench warmer, so selling and replacing him in the next window would make sense.

[1Day 145]

The the kind of manager United needed,post Saf,Eriksen out,fair enough,Mctominay out,fair enough,Casimero,out!
Sabitzer in,checkmate says ETH.

[rezzy 4,678]

1st strike as Man United manager.

Playing Rashford on the right wing, in this form. Dont ever let it happen again Erik.

[PVAD 4,575]

The 2nd half last night (Barcelona) showed me this man is a thinker. He realised he had cocked up starting Weghorst and changed it rather than giving him 10/15 2nd half. The so called Professor and definitely Solskjaer would have given him that costing us the match. 

Its a redeeming feature about him that he recognises transitions in play and where he can maximise them to out-wit the opponent. The Weghorst experiment may work limited against lesser premiership opposition but I hope he realises that experiment should now be consigned to the lab recycling bin. The team immediately looked far more pacier and fluid. It was the game changing decision.

He may have stumbled into a way of playing Antony on one side and Sancho/Garnaco on the other with the other attacking players slotting into their familiar positions.

With 4 more additions 2 midfielders to challenge Fernandes & Sancho and 2 strikers to REPLACE Martial & Weghorst with the latter hopefully not signed permanently we will be a much stronger proposition next season and launch our first credible challenge for the title.

Ten Hags coming of age last night in my opinion but he has to win that League Cup now as this would feel like an anti climax.

I believe for the first time in 10 years, long time coming, United have a manager who doesn't look out of place comfortable with his surroundings and his players with very good technical and tactical awareness.

I for one am not shooting my load just yet but I'm getting that warm fuzzy feeling things may explode at Old Trafford in the coming years.

 

[Eddie 616]

Love this man.

I feel like he still hasn't got enough credit for what he's done since taking over, what was a difficult managerial position last summer.

I think the feeling among United fans for the most part after last season ended, was misery & very little optimism about the future - I know I certainly was feeling like that anyway. And even though ten Hag's arrival was welcomed by pretty much everyone, it was still hard to know how things would play out with the United board and how much influence ten Hag would actually have on changing up the first team squad & bringing in players he wants. In fairness, he was backed and we definitely upgraded in some key areas of the pitch & started to have a potentially strong starting XI on paper with some quality from the bench.

Looking back at the disastrous start to the season and fast-forwarding to where we are now, it's been an amazing turnaround and this man has been the driving factor behind it all. We've got a Cup Final to look forward to this weekend and hopefully lift out first silverware in years. We've knocked out one of Europe's top teams in a competition that isn't exactly one we really want to be in, but we've a great chance of going all the way in. We're still in the mix in the FA Cup. And most importantly this season, we're in a position near the top of the Premier League where we're not very far off challenging for the top position. A lot of reason to be positive currently, but also optimistic about the near future.

That full-time OT atmosphere after the Barca win, was very special. It was a great moment for the squad of players & management. I just hope they deliver on Sunday and we're celebrating a Cup Final win to really give ten Hag the credit he deserves so far.

I agree with what's said above - that there is the feeling after a decade long, that we might just have a manager who's a perfect fit for the club in this moment & is the man who will bring us back to challenging at the very top again.

[Gary 194]

If we cast our minds back to when the job was vacant there were many candidates being mentioned. My personal choice was EtH. Thought he had all the attributes that would see us challenging again. Didn't expect it to happen in his 1st season but think he's shown us just what direction he intends to take us. Fuckin love the guy!

[hdcantona 9,000]

Good read if you've got the athletic 

 

https://theathletic.com/4250314/2023/02/26/man-utd-manchester-ten-hag?source=user-shared-article

 

[1Day 145]

No player is bigger than Utd or the manager.This philosophy has been reset.

[PVAD 4,575]

To all Manchester United supporters,

I wanted to take the time to address you directly this morning.

When I arrived at the club, we spoke about the challenge and importance of reuniting this group of players with our amazing fans.

Believe me, this squad knows exactly how important you are. The bond between the supporters and the team is there for everyone to see and what we experienced together yesterday will only further strengthen that bond.

The atmosphere generated by those of you at Wembley was incredible. From the first minute until the last you were there with us, driving the team on, supporting and encouraging them to get over the line to bring the trophy back to Manchester.

For those of you who couldn’t be there, we felt your support before, during and after the game. Know that each and every one of you will always play your part in this team being successful.

I am proud of my players and staff for their preparation and performances. Yesterday, we saw the required desire, spirit and determination that we must demand of everyone who represents Manchester United.

We set ourselves high standards every day. At Wembley we met those demands and got the reward of our first trophy together.

We know the importance of silverware throughout the history of this great club. We are so happy to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford but we are by no means satisfied and we will not stop here.

Together we have experienced the feeling of what it means to win together for Manchester United. It is truly magnificent and will only make each of us hungrier for more success.

This group has made great strides in the last few months but there is still a lot more to come. I can assure you that everyone at Carrington will be working constantly because we know that this club and you, our supporters, deserve more great days like this.

We will go back to work today, with full focus now on preparing to face West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday evening.

There will be no complacency in our desire to return this club back to where we want to be. Please know that you are vital to what we want to achieve and take yesterday as proof of what can happen when we are all United together.

Thank you for your support and dedication,

Erik ten Hag

Very very Fergiesque in his thinking.

Job done let's not toss over it anymore and move on to the next. 

[1Day 145]

He needs to show more faith in the bench,use his best players for back up for substitutes.

[hdcantona 9,000]

3 minutes ago, 1Day said:

He needs to show more faith in the bench,use his best players for back up for substitutes.

We still have 3+ regular starters he shouldn't have faith in let alone the subs 

[O 20,624]

On 27/02/2023 at 11:29, PVAD said:

To all Manchester United supporters,

I wanted to take the time to address you directly this morning.

When I arrived at the club, we spoke about the challenge and importance of reuniting this group of players with our amazing fans.

Believe me, this squad knows exactly how important you are. The bond between the supporters and the team is there for everyone to see and what we experienced together yesterday will only further strengthen that bond.

The atmosphere generated by those of you at Wembley was incredible. From the first minute until the last you were there with us, driving the team on, supporting and encouraging them to get over the line to bring the trophy back to Manchester.

For those of you who couldn’t be there, we felt your support before, during and after the game. Know that each and every one of you will always play your part in this team being successful.

I am proud of my players and staff for their preparation and performances. Yesterday, we saw the required desire, spirit and determination that we must demand of everyone who represents Manchester United.

We set ourselves high standards every day. At Wembley we met those demands and got the reward of our first trophy together.

We know the importance of silverware throughout the history of this great club. We are so happy to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford but we are by no means satisfied and we will not stop here.

Together we have experienced the feeling of what it means to win together for Manchester United. It is truly magnificent and will only make each of us hungrier for more success.

This group has made great strides in the last few months but there is still a lot more to come. I can assure you that everyone at Carrington will be working constantly because we know that this club and you, our supporters, deserve more great days like this.

We will go back to work today, with full focus now on preparing to face West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday evening.

There will be no complacency in our desire to return this club back to where we want to be. Please know that you are vital to what we want to achieve and take yesterday as proof of what can happen when we are all United together.

Thank you for your support and dedication,

Erik ten Hag

Very very Fergiesque in his thinking.

Job done let's not toss over it anymore and move on to the next. 

This didn't age well.

[nirav 1,161]

He will need to learn quickly to shut shop at few places if you are 4 goals down. Regroup and reset now.

[Jay007 3,429]

Before the game I thought he should have gone for AWB rather than Dalot, which probably wouldn't have made much of a difference considering the shambles but Dalot was poor.

Other than that, I think he should have shut up shop earlier rather than us still apparently chasing the game at 3/4-0.

He's dealt with adversity well so far, but this is probably the biggest test so far. A big response is required from everyone now.

 

[Gary 194]

2 hours ago, 1Day said:

He needs to show more faith in the bench,use his best players for back up for substitutes.

?????

[CB78 384]

Thought 1st half Liverpool looked there for taking & UTD unlucky 1-0 down half time 

2nd half unexplainable complete collapse-  didn’t see it coming, recent wins far from great football but we’ve looked resilient / unlikely to concede 

Set back, but when Dust settles, overall I’m not worried, for me Ten Haag has UTD ahead of schedule -

much more positives than negatives, still a feeling of club heading in right direction 

[Eddie 616]

No matter what he goes on to achieve in his managerial career at United - that 7-0 defeat at Anfield is there on record and it's a hard one to accept.

I'd imagine he's hurting after that. What he does next & how his players respond straight away, is what's important now. 

We can move on, but that result & performance will be hard to forget.

 

 

[PVAD 4,575]

49 minutes ago, Eddie said:

No matter what he goes on to achieve in his managerial career at United - that 7-0 defeat at Anfield is there on record and it's a hard one to accept.

I'd imagine he's hurting after that. What he does next & how his players respond straight away, is what's important now. 

We can move on, but that result & performance will be hard to forget.

 

 

He'll continue playing someone who runs about a bit, play his stronger players out of their natural positions keep faith with De Gea and make Fred his captain.

So in essence fuck up the first half of matches realise he made silly selections and hopefully win the second half. Wash Rinse Repeat. It's suck it and see football.

He needs to realise that we've been behind 7 maybe 8 times of the last 17 odd games or so which is not a coincidence. He is supposed to be savvy so you'd think his starting options would be playing his strongest team in in their strongest positions.

Wout Weghorst bounding about like a demented giraffe is a horrible sight to behold for this club. To think of the strikers we've had and fast forward to 2023 when he is "an only option' it's borderline scandalous.

He of course is not Ten Hags alone problem. He has worked much better with fringe players of the Solskjaer Rangnick era but his continued over reliance on them will be his downfall.

A huge cash injection...AGAIN....is desperately needed at this club. Don't expect players like Fernandes De Gea Shaw Fred Weghorst to bounce back after this, they rarely will, as they're far far too comfortable with no obvious challengers.

Edited March 5 by PVAD

[1Day 145]

4 hours ago, Gary said:

?????

Sabitzer,AWB,Sancho,Elanga,Pellestri,Heaton,the new left back?instead he went for the strongest team which is suffering fatigue ,ETH needed to freshen it up ,and to keep it  tight today.