How Erik Ten Hag will develop Manchester United?
Erik Ten Hag and the future of Manchester United, how Red Devils will perform under Ten hag and how Ten Hag will compete in the world’s best league?
Ten Hag was appointed manager of Manchester United on April 21, 2022. He will remain at at the club until June 2025 with his coaching staff members Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren. Erik Ten Hag enjoyed several successful seasons at Ajax, winning six titles and reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
Ten Hag is without a doubt capable of bringing trophies to the cabinet, as he boasts a 73.5 percent winning ratio with Ajax, having only lost 29 games in four years. Under Ten Hag, Ajax has defeated European giants such as Real Madrid, Juventus, and Tottenham Hotspur. Under his supervision, they were able to secure a place in the Champions League each year.
Erik’s Gameplay
Ten Hag appears calm and serene on the touchline; his tactics primarily reflect an attacking mindset; his Ajax side used to build up from the back, maintaining possession and pressing opponents out of shape. Ten Hag does not stick to a particular formation, and his variations have always worked well for his squad.
In his last spell, Ajax lined up in a 4–3–3, with two midfielders between the lines in the half-spaces, fullbacks pushed up high and wide, and wingers stretching the play on either flank. His side played with a false 9 in 2019, which faded away in 2022, and his playmakers commit two or three midfielders on counter-press, ensuring the side wins the ball back whenever it is handed away.
Ten Hag’s strategy emphasizes wingers as a crucial component of his attacking from the outside. He preferred inverted wingers who cut inside and took long-range shots, such as Hakim Ziyech at Ajax, and his pairing with Tadic. Ajax’s switching play between full-backs and finding the striker harmed many Eredivisie defensive sides.
Erik Ten Hag had a great impact on Ajax, particularly with the academy players and young lads. I hope he does well at Manchester United and helps the club end its five-year trophy drought.
Man Utd under Ten Hag
This season, the Red Devils have struggled at defence, conceding 1.5 goals per match, even though Brentford and relegated Burnley have a better ratio than them. United had only eight clean sheets this season and finished with a goal difference of 0. Their defence is so easy to exploit that the back four can be easily forced out of shape, which leaves David de Gea in a one-on-one situation.
Surely Ten Hag is going to change this defensive discipline at Old Trafford since his defensive techniques have previously provided quality and results. He will employ McTominay or Fred in a drop deep role, where the midfielder drops close to the center backs and forms a back three as he did with Frankie De Jong at Ajax. Not only has this Ten Hag has shown consistent changes during the game at his former club.
Most of the time he will be using Luke Shaw or Alex Telles to drop back, it means the left-back dropping back to the central defence but no the right back. The right back will remain in the same position to carry the ball forward. Under the lights of Ten Hag Man Utd’s defenders will be aggressive in possession and will carry the ball forward to distribute.
Manchester United will be a more attacking team under Ten Hag. He will build a strong defence at the club with new signings, which will lead United towards attacking improvements. Ten Hag’s United will play huge numbers in attack 7; to 8, players will be pushing up around the opponent’s penalty area. Bruno Fernandes will be playing at his traditional position because Ten Hag’s strategy calls for two deep midfielders and one offensive midfielder.
New Man Utd will be good without the ball squeezing the play and keeping a high line. Team United will get men around the ball very quickly to prevent the opposition’s potential counter-attacks. One thing is very clear that the role of midfielders in Ten Hag’s game is very important; his methodology of using midfielders clearly gives relief to center backs.
Erik Ten Hag against Pep and Klopp
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola ERA have been ruling English football for almost five years, It will not be an easy job to win the Premier League in their prime time, but Ten Hag is the one who can compete against these two managers with the correct players and positive mentality. Manchester United already have a €721.25 Million squad, and they will sign a few more players for sure as some of the current team members are leaving.
So Ten Hag’s work at this club will not be simple because managers like Jose Mourinho were sacked at Manchester United. We all know that managing Man Utd is difficult because the expectations are high, and the fanbase is so involved. Ten Hag will definitely aim for the top four spots in his debut season at Manchester before using his ability to fight European giants in the Champions League.
Conclusion
Manchester United is going to present some counter-pressing football next season. Erik Ten Hag will help Manchester improve and go hunting for titles. There are some players he is interested in right now; he will most likely ascend if he can get these guys.
