Erik ten Hag’s Transformation of Manchester United

Manchester United have been going through a long period of transition since Alex Ferguson retired from the Premier League club and have had some of the best managers in the world try to recapture the success.

With only his first season and campaign completed, Man United successfully won the EFL Final and were competitive in the Premier League (3rd) FA Cup (finalists) and UEFA Europa League (semi-finalists).

Whilst many fans were not aware of manager Eric Ten Hag and his managerial record until his announcement last summer, he is quickly becoming an integral part of the club. In 2019, Eric Ten Hag took Ajax Amsterdam all the way to the semi-final in the Champions League, beating both Juventus and Real Madrid on route. This journey with Ajax made him one of the elite managers in world football and Manchester United managed to secure his services.

Football magazine Four Four two created a feature on Erik Ten Hag upon his appointment, many of his philosophies are now being seen on the biggest stage..

Manchester United Fan Reaction

Whilst Manchester United are still one of the biggest clubs in European football, fans have watched the teams for several seasons without any success. Erik ten Hag has now created positivity at the club and this can be seen in fans now buying Manchester United tickets for both the home games at Old Trafford and away fixtures. The reaction from fans has been incredible, Erik Ten Hag has made a bigger impact than most would have imagined. Despite fierce rivals Manchester City completing the Treble last season, Manchester United fans are confident in Erik Ten Hag and his potential to bring more success to the club.

The Tactics Used by Erik Ten Hag

The preferred and most-used formation of Eric Ten Hag is the 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 with an emphasis on quick attacks from the wings. Additionally the midfield are positioned high up the pitch to assist in creating the chances. Whilst the teams do have the ability to create chances, the transformation of the defence is arguably the most important.

Manchester United have a new defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, both World Cup winners and leaders on the pitch. This focus on defense across the field has made Manchester United have one of the best in the league so far this season.

How good is Eric Ten Hag as a Manager?

Manchester United are now a transformed club since his arrival and whilst some decisions were initially questioned at first, they are now being described by many as great tactics. Dropping both Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire from the team were big decisions and often questioned. Additionally purchasing Lisandro Martinez from Ajax also raised eyebrows by many, however he is now arguably the best in the Premier League.

What clubs did Erik ten Hag play for?

Erik Ten Hag played for several clubs in the Dutch Eerste Divisie winning the league twice whilst playing as centre-back. The teams were Twente (KNVB Cup winner), De Graafschap, RKC Waalwijk and Utrecht.

Did Ten Hag work with Pep Guardiola?

Many football analysts have stated how Ten Hag worked with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and both have a similar philosophy on football, being proactive on and off the ball. Whilst this period of 2 years was only short, many believe this made him the manager he is today.

The Future of Eric Ten Hag at Manchester United

Eric Ten Hag has transformed the Manchester United team into title contenders and EFL finalists in less than 6 months at the club. Given the potential sale of the club and financial restrictions on the team, Eric Ten Hag has completed an amazing turnaround. The summer transfer window is open and the first signing will be Chelsea player Mason Mount, expected to be announced in the next few days. As soon as the sale of the club is completed, the club are expected to strengthen the team with more players, creating hope for the Red Devil fans.

Football ticket site Fan Seats has seen an increase in demand for the team since the summer, including for the EFL Cup final and Europa League games.

Manchester United now have the foundations of a title challenging team, with the addition of one or two players, this team can go on to bring silverware back to the red side of Manchester.