Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan has rated Erik ten Hag’s impact on the club so far.
The Dutch coach arrived last year to take over from interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.
Ten Hag was the fan-favourite to get the job due to the work he’d done at Ajax, winning three Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield throughout his time in Amsterdam.
Now though, he faces an entirely different challenge in England; to bring the 20-time champions out of their rut and back to playing the highest quality football they can, lifting silverware along the way.
Last season, Ten Hag guided the Reds to Carabao Cup glory and he’ll be hoping to go further this year by challenging for the likes of the Premier League and Champions League.
Phelan on Ten Hag
On his time at Old Trafford so far, Phelan said (via Football Daily): “Him and his coaching staff have made a difference. I think they can progress and make bigger strides. They’ve spent a lot of money in the [transfer] windows but, it’s like anything, he needs time. Everybody needs time to put their mark on things. Hopefully, he will get that.
“But you have to win football matches,” he continued. “[At] Manchester United, you lose one game, probably call it a blip, but you lose two or three in a row, probably a crisis [laughs].”
🗣️ “Him and his coaching staff have made a difference. I think they can progress and make bigger strides. They’ve spent a lot of money but he needs time.”
Mike Phelan on Erik ten Hag’s impact at Manchester United. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/rfDHo3R5EO
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 12, 2023
Footage courtesy of Football Daily.
