Erik ten Hag is making a big impression in his first season at Manchester United since leaving Ajax back in the summer.
He was quick to sign Lisandro Martinez and Antony from Ajax, both of who have become regulars in his starting line-up.
At United he was also reunited with Donny van de Beek, who he managed at Ajax. But none of these players were the first Manchester United player he managed.
The first Manchester United player to feature under Erik ten Hag was former academy player, Matty Willock (far left in the picture below with Erik ten Hag centre).
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Ten Hag impressed Manchester United
Matty Willock was a young midfielder who made 44 appearances for Manchester United’s under-21 side alongside Scott McTominay, and also played in the UEFA Youth League.
In August 2017, Manchester United made the decision to send Willock on loan to Eredivisie side Utrecht, where he became the first Red Devils player to work under Erik ten Hag.
It may have been during this loan spell that Ten Hag first came onto United’s radar.
The Times reports that loan player manager Les Parry reported back to head of football development John Murtough: “You know what, there’s a damn good manager there. He sits down with Matty, goes through his clips, gives him a development plan, wants him to learn a little Dutch.”
Ajax appointed Erik ten Hag in December 2017, after also being impressed with his work at Utrecht.
Willock played five first team games under Ten Hag, scoring once – also becoming the first Manchester United player to score under the manager.
Where is Matty Willock now?
Matty Willock was named on the bench twice by Jose Mourinho, but did not make a first team appearance for Manchester United.
After Ten Hag left Utrecht, Willock’s loan at the club was terminated in January 2018. Willock then had three further loans at St Johnstone, St Mirren, and Crawley Town, before he was released in June 2019.
He signed for League Two side Gillingham, where he made 26 appearances, before signing with Salford City in 2021.
Willock was also called up to make his international debut for Caribbean island Monserrat, for who he has two appearances.
However, after his spell at Salford, Willock’s career appears to have stalled. His contract expired last June and at 26-years-old, he is still a free agent, without a club.
Willock’s goal under Erik ten Hag was one of four strikes in his career at first team level. He also netted five times for United’s under-21 side.
His time under the Dutch manager was cut short due to Ten Hag’s own career progression. Who knows if six extra months working under him could have led to Willock’s own career panning out differently.
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