Erik ten Hag has received a load of criticism from sections of the Manchester United fanbase but there is one thing he deserves credit for.
Ever since Manchester United decided that in the summer of 2022 Erik ten Hag would be their manager, the Dutchman has run a tight ship at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo criticised Ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan and was very quickly turfed out of Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho decided to publicly disagree with the Dutchman’s assessment of his performances in training and he too was frozen out and now looks almost certain to be on his way out of the team.
The 53-year-old has subsequently come in for criticism for his dictatorial behaviour with players but he seems to be learning from his mistakes.
Ten Hag and Rashford
Ten Hag looks to be a manager that demands 100 per cent buy-in from the start and if you don’t do this then you will be on your way out.
Raphael Varane looks to be the next name heading for the exit and there are now serious questions over Marcus Rashford, with his form and attitude under question from the media.
When the Dutchman was asked about the 26-year-old’s woeful displays, it would have been logical to predict a rather blunt answer from the 53-year-old and perhaps even criticising the England international in public.
However, it seems the former Ajax boss has learned from his mistakes, declining to be drawn in. Ten Hag said: “I will talk to him and not the media.
“I don’t go into individual performances. I knew this issue was coming up and Marcus is investing a lot. He will return to his form, he will recover and he will get all our support.”
Read more: Erik ten Hag comments show he may have just learned his lesson after Jadon Sancho debacle – OpinionTen Hag’s learning curve
As good as it was to see the Dutchman not allowing players to walk all over him, some man-management skills sprinkled in would certainly help the Red Devils and it looks like Ten Hag is learning from his mistakes.
Keeping the Sancho debacle in-house could have prevented a lot of early-season problems but the Dutchman would have learned from that situation.
Describing Varane’s omission from the United squad for the game against City as tactical was another step in the right direction if there has indeed been a fallout.
Keeping your most important player onside whilst he’s going through a difficult period in his career will do the Englishman the world of good and the hope will be that he can rediscover last season’s mesmerising form.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/FhPW4wN