The fans will be keen to put the forgettable season behind them and hope that under ten Hag, the club can rediscover its glory days.
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A new era begins for Manchester United with Erik ten Hag at the helm. The Dutchman held his first press conference on Monday to discuss various topics from players to a former manager. His unveiling came on the back of another poor outing against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The 1-0 defeat at Palace brings an end to their worst season in the Premier League history. The 58 points United collected this campaign is the lowest they have managed in the Premier League era. The season saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked and Ralf Rangnick being appointed as interim manager but the results did not manage to improve.
The highly disappointing season saw Manchester United finishing with zero goal difference. It was one of the many unfortunate records they created in this campaign. However, the fans will be keen to put the forgettable season behind them and hope that under ten Hag, the club can rediscover its glory days. In his first press conference on Monday as Manchester United manager, the Dutchman was flooded with multiple questions. There were three important points that he made during the interaction that caught the attention of many people. Let us have a detailed look at them:
The former Ajax manager would love to play with a high pressing style of football. He likes to work with players who have high work rate. At 37 years of age, it is too much to ask Cristiano Ronaldo to play in a high-pressing system. Hence, some pundits were not sure if the Portuguese international will suit ten Hag’s style of play. When asked if Ronaldo fits into his project, Ten Hag said, “Of course.” Asked about what the Portuguese star can bring to the team, ten Hag said, “Ronaldo? Goals!” He added: “I talk first with Ronaldo before I talk with you.”
READ MORE – Louis van Gaal warns Erik ten Hag against Old Trafford move
Skipper Harry Maguire was one of the players who were criticised the most by fans and pundits for his performance last season. Some even went as far as saying that the English centre-back should be relieved of his captaincy duty. Speaking about Maguire, ten Hag said, “I have to repeat that next season is a different season but I think he did a great job. He’s a great player, he’s achieved already a lot really also [with his] contribution to Manchester United. So I’m looking forward to working with him.”
In 2014, Louis van Gaal took over the Manchester United manager job following David Moyes’ departure. However, the 70-year-old Dutchman failed to convince the board or the fans with his football during his two-year stay. Van Gaal, who was sacked in 2016, had earlier warned ten Hag about joining United. “Manchester United are a commercial club, so it’s a difficult choice for a coach. He’d better go to a football club. I’m not going to advise him, he’ll call me himself. But he must choose a football club and not a commercial club,” van Gaal had earlier said.
When asked about Van Gaal’s comments, Ten Hag replied, “I spoke with more people who have experience with this club. Experts. But finally I will draw my own line. Van Gaal? Yes, I spoke with Louis – I was at his movie. I was at the premiere of his movie. Do I agree with his comments about the club being too commercial? I draw my own line, and I’m convinced that’s not the case. Every club these days is commercial. Every club needs it. To be successful you need to do what is necessary but football is one, two, three in this club.”
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