A third-place finish in the Premier League along with Carabao Cup victory signalled an impressive first season as Manchester United boss for Erik ten Hag. It’s also important to remember that, in the early part of the season, he had the Cristiano Ronaldo situation to deal with too.
This season has brought some early challenges, including United losing their first two games in the Champions League. There is no doubt that Ten Hag knew he had a huge task ahead of him when he took the job on. United have been in the shadow of local rivals Manchester City for over a decade now, and any sort of title challenge seems a long way off.
Whilst the current United team includes players with ability, what it lacks is a talisman like those who featured when the club dominated English football under Alex Ferguson.
King Eric
One of the finest players of his generation, Eric Cantona is widely regarded as the man who took Manchester United to the next level and set them apart from the rest. He was the man who made it possible to bet on Premier League fixtures involving Manchester United with a high degree of confidence.
He had a swagger and arrogance about him that he was able to back up through his ability with the ball at his feet. His vision and range of passing were surpassed only by his ability to come up with the goods in front of goal.
When Eric Cantona was on the pitch, regardless of the state of play, there was always an expectation that he would turn on the magic and find a way to change the game.
A mention must also go to David Beckham, who took on the mantle after Cantona’s departure, and became the go-to hero for Manchester United and England.
Captain Marvel
Bryan Robson may not be one of the first players who comes to mind when you think of the Fergie era at Old Trafford. But he was the main man at the club throughout the 1980s and was one of the few who survived the cull of players deemed not professional enough when Ferguson first took the reins.
Robbo was a tenacious box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal. He was influential in establishing the mentality within the squad that Fergie insisted upon and was a member of the manager’s first two Premier League-winning squads.
Keano!
Roy Keane spent 12 years at United, winning 17 major trophies and becoming the most successful Irish footballer of all time. Known for his hardman image and the infamous Haaland incident, he was also a technically gifted player.
In 2004, Pele named Keane in his top 100 players currently playing professionally. He played 480 games for United, scoring 51 goals and leading by example. Keane always gave his best and demanded the same from those around him.
Vocal in the dressing room and influential on the pitch, Roy Keane simply wouldn’t allow standards to slip.
United in 2023
Robson, Cantona, Beckham and Keane were true talismans. They took on the burden of responsibility when things were tough and found ways to influence games.
Looking around the current United dressing room, the closest they have to a player of such stature is Casemiro. Tough-tackling and handy on the ball, this is a Brazilian international who played more than 300 games for Real Madrid. He’s a high-quality player. But he doesn’t have the presence of those aforementioned players. In the next transfer window, this must be ten Hag’s priority – if he’s still there.
