5 Ways Ten Hag Transformed Man United At Every Level

The Netherlands manager, Eric Ten Hag has turned the Red Devils into a squad that is seeking an improbable quadruple after a discouraging start to life at Old Trafford.

The reign of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United could not have started any worse. The Red Devils traveled to Brentford and were heavily defeated 4-0 there after losing 2-1 to Brighton at home on the opening day.

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The outcome was met with the kind of frenetic reaction that is to be anticipated when United suffers a defeat, with critics claiming the team was irreparably damaged.

But just a matter of months later, Ten Hag’s side are threatening to sneak into the Premier League title race and challenge for four trophies. After so many false dawns, United finally appear set to shake off the malaise that has shrouded Old Trafford for a decade.

The Dutchman, who imposed discipline, made some brilliant moves in the transfer market, and developed a number of players who earlier seemed destined for the trash heap, was the architect of this truly extraordinary turnaround.

THEEAGLE delves at how Ten Hag was able to quickly turn around United’s situation in the sections below.

Instilling Ferguson Levels of Discipline

Recent news stories have focused on Ten Hag’s red wine-fueled conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, during which the current United manager said he “cannot wait for the next one.”

For some of the Dutchman’s predecessors, harkening back to the heyday of Fergie has been more of a hindrance than an aid, but it’s obvious that the two share a lot of parallels.

Most dramatically, Ten Hag maintains strict discipline in his dressing room, much like Ferguson. This season, no one has escaped the code of conduct. Even Rashford, who was in peak physical condition, was demoted to the sidelines for being late for a meeting, while high-profile acquisition Jadon Sancho was put on an individual training schedule to address his psychological and physical issues.

The players’ interactions with the media have also changed significantly, as Ten Hag noted after his team’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in January.

He said, “What I want to bring in is a culture of high standards, values, accountability and transparency. So honestly that is our values that I want to set and control, both internal and external with the media and the fans.”

Revitalising Rashford

Marcus Rashford had a really difficult 2021–22 season. He started out with a little injury and never recovered, concluding the season with a horrifying 12-game Premier League scoring drought.

Rashford did, in fact, occasionally appear uninspired and indifferent, and there were loud rumblings that he would decide to end his United career in the summer.

Ten Hag’s presence, though, has altered his situation. Rashford is without a doubt the most effective player in Europe right now; his 24 goals across all competitions have already surpassed his total from any other season.

Ten Hag’s contribution to this revival is actually quite straightforward. When he initially spoke with Rashford, he said: “I want to see you smile, I want to see your teeth. Now we see it often. I think he’s in a happy place, the whole dressing room is in a happy place, there is a lot of confidence and belief in this squad.”

Rashford’s development is a prime illustration of Ten Hag’s superior man-management abilities. The forward’s confidence has been restored, and the idea of him being moved is now utterly absurd.

Moving On From Ronaldo

Of course, the extended Cristiano Ronaldo controversy was the most illuminating illustration of United’s newfound discipline.

Only a rare leader can challenge one of the world’s most powerful sports figures, but Ten Hag did just that—and he claimed victory.

The first indications of unhappiness came during a preseason friendly against Rayo Vallecano. Ronaldo, who was trying to leave the club at the time, was one of the United players to leave before the game was over. Ten Hag refused to sweep his rudeness under the rug and called the act “unacceptable.”

In November, he pulled the same prank by exiting the tunnel without turning around after his team defeated Tottenham. Later, in that infamous Piers Morgan interview, Ronaldo claimed that Ten Hag, who had just decided to use him as a late replacement, had “provoked” him into acting in a certain way.

There were other insults directed at the head coach as well.

“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” he also told Morgan. “If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”

Following this attack, Ronaldo would leave Old Trafford, as many had long thought Ten Hag desired despite his frequently encouraging news conference remarks.

Ronaldo is now at Al-Nassr, and United, liberated from the relentless media attention his ill-fated second stint brought, may finally win a trophy when they play Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Inspired Transfer Dealings

The verdict is still out on Antony, and United could undoubtedly use another striker, but overall, Ten Hag has done practically everything else correctly thus far during the transfer period.

The signing of Lisandro Martinez was roundly criticized in the summer, most notably by Jamie Carragher, who has subsequently been compelled to retract his comments in light of the Argentine’s outstanding play. Christian Eriksen has proven to be a brilliant acquisition for United as well, giving them a much more incisive edge in the final third despite the fact that he was a free agent.

The signing of Casemiro, however, is unquestionably the best of the bunch. The Brazilian, who cost Real Madrid £70 million ($84.6 million), has restored stability and control to the United midfield by dismantling the infamous Scott McTominay-Fred pivot.

Ten Hag might receive a transfer war chest from the new owners, and given his nearly perfect recruiting track record, the club would be wise to heed his advice.

Being Flexible To Get Results

The ability to be flexible in order to get success has maybe been Ten Hag’s United tenure’s most impressive quality thus far.

Verticality was the tactical catchphrase before he took charge, and his Ajax team was particularly adept at moving the ball forward rapidly with passes through the lines. Old Trafford has seen some of that so far, but there is still a long way to go until this team is properly fashioned in the likeness of Ten Hag.

Seven Premier League sides have made more advanced passes so far this season than United, indicating that United is playing more defensive in possession than their coach would prefer.

To put things in perspective, the Red Devils finished the fifth-most progressive passes last season, while their short passes per 90 minutes have been nearly constant over the first two seasons.

Ten Hag has taken care not to overburden his team with radical adjustments to their style of play. Many elite teams have recently gone through tough rebuilding processes, but United’s success shows that changes can be made gradually and yet allow a team to compete at the top of the Premier League standings.