Erik ten Hag is still waiting for things to click at Manchester United but he has withstood fierce criticism to steady the ship. The latest setback was, however, a big one.
United were outclassed by their rivals in the Manchester derby over the weekend and the inquest has been ugly, with Ten Hag facing some of the criticism himself.
The focus was mainly on the players, however. Speaking after Thursday’s 3-2 win over Omonia in the Europa League, defender Diogo Dalot insisted criticism from the manager does not ‘hurt’ the squad.
After overseeing the nervy win in Cyprus, Ten Hag has explained how he wants his United players to behave on the pitch, saying he wants them to be ‘smart’ but also ‘nasty’.
“I know nasty,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the BBC. “I know what nasty is. I think also in that matter we can progress. Sometimes also play a little bit more smart.
“We have too many bookings and some in the start [of matches]. I heard in the Premier League they will play tough but I’m really wondering why we collect so many bookings. I don’t understand.”
Ten Hag goes on to reference an incident in the defeat to Manchester City when Dalot was booked in the second minute for a foul on Jack Grealish.
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“The first booking on Sunday, I really don’t understand that. We want to play tough, we want to keep the game going.
“Then in the second minute already it’s a booking. I think it’s a duel, clear it was a foul, but to then get booked? Also I saw many other bookings where I think ‘OK, is that necessary?
“But also I take it to the players. I have to keep the mirror [on them] that they have to play smart, but also they have to play nasty as well.”
SN’s verdict…
Clearly, there are a lot of psychological issues from last season that need to be resolved before Ten Hag can take this team anywhere but thus far, his comments to the press have been interesting.
After the two opening defeats in the Premier League, Ten Hag also took that approach and it certainly provoked a reaction – United won their next four league games.
United were expected to bounce back with a statement performance against Omonia but instead, it was another nervy afternoon. Only time will tell whether this is just a blip or if Ten Hag has yet another worry on his mind.
