Erik ten Hag has reflected on what made Manchester United so successful in years gone by and addresses what is needed to replicate the same success under his reign.
The past few years in Manchester became toxic under different managers; Jose Mourinho created tension with the players, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered some of the worst defeats in the club’s history, and Ralf Rangnick saw out United’s worst league campaign to date.
The Dutchman was appointed manager of the Red Devils in April 2022 to take charge of the team from the 2022/2023 campaign. After a shaky start to the season, in which United lost their two opening Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 6-1, things have started looking incredibly positive at the club.
Now, the Reds are on the back of their eighth consecutive league win at home.
Ten Hag has overseen wins against rivals such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. He has the club sitting joint third in the league and in all competitions, providing a real chance at lifting silverware in his first season – and United’s first trophy in five years.
He was the fan-favourite to take over the managerial position. Ten Hag had proven success at Ajax and a style of play that was easy on the eye. His values also matched what United stood for – promoting the youth, hence why he has since decided to take full control of the Red Devils’ reserves team to monitor and track the youngsters’ development and progression.
Ten Hag speaks in depth on United
Before Christmas, the manager spoke in detail to Voetbal International about the culture at United and what the future holds. Here are his key points, which have been translated by UnitedPeoplesTV: “There was no spirit [at United last season]. 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. I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘how did Manchester United become great?’
“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.
“In the centre, there were big personalities like Jaap Stam, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand. And always a strategist in midfield. Roy Keane, the boss. Paul Scholes, a magnificent footballer and personality. And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. That’s the culture of 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.
“United have 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. Manchester United’s shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.”
He weighed in on the new signings into the club that he oversaw in the summer.
“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 United must meet the highest standard.”
On United’s season so far, he added: “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.
“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.”
