Erik ten Hag: United Can Never Be Ajax
In the wake of Manchester United's distressing 3-0 loss to their arch-rivals City, marking their fifth defeat in the initial ten Premier League fixtures and their poorest start since 1986, manager Erik ten Hag has starkly admitted that replicating his Ajax team's style at United is an unattainable goal.
ten Hag, entrusted with over £400 million for player acquisitions since his appointment in May 2022, was celebrated for his dynamic and offensive gameplay at Ajax. However, his tenure at Manchester United has starkly contrasted this style. Football analyst Jamie Carragher sharply criticized United's current play, describing it as "underdog football," overly dependent on "counterattacks and a lot of long balls."
Post the Manchester derby debacle, ten Hag openly acknowledged the differences in team dynamics, starkly stating to Viaplay, "Never. We will never play that football," when asked about replicating his Ajax approach. He added, "Because those were different players," emphasizing the necessity of adapting to the players' strengths and styles. He further explained his vision for United, highlighting a more direct style of play.
His recent comments mirror his first impressions shared during his introductory press conference, where he outlined his flexible approach: "It is always players who dictate the way of play...I will line up my best team, and I will line up my players like that to get the best out of them."
Though not contradictory, these admissions highlight a crucial difference in strategy from Ajax, and this shift hasn't gone unnoticed. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, contrasted ten Hag's tenure with the more immediate impacts of Unai Emery at Aston Villa and Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, questioning the clarity of United's playing style under ten Hag.
Gary Neville, echoing Carragher's sentiments, pointed out the managerial challenges at United, comparing Ten Hag's situation with predecessors like Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, and Solskjaer. Neville highlighted recruitment issues and alignment with the manager's vision, emphasizing the current gaps in defense and midfield due to injuries and tactical choices.
As United prepare to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup fourth round, a critical encounter at Old Trafford, questions linger around Ten Hag's capability to extract the best from his squad. Their clash with Newcastle, a team that has seen notable improvements under Eddie Howe, might prove decisive for ten Hag. This game follows last season's final, where United emerged victorious - a memory Ten Hag and his squad might seek inspiration from, especially given the betting odds which slightly favor Manchester United at 2.3, with a draw at 3.55 and a Newcastle win at 3.2.
This season's challenges for ten Hag are not only about winning matches but also about establishing a coherent and effective style of play that resonates with both the players and the supporters. The clock is ticking for the Dutchman to adapt and evolve his strategies in the demanding landscape of Premier League football.
