I rewatched Erik ten Hag’s first game as Manchester United manager – there was one glaring difference to Ruben Amorim’s 

The Ruben Amorim era has officially kicked off at Manchester United – although it wasn’t the start he’d have been hoping for.

The new Manchester United head coach faced Ipswich Town in the Premier League, and despite a dream start thanks to a Marcus Rashford strike, it ultimately wasn’t a victory against the Tractor Boys.

An Omari Hutchinson wonder strike meant that the game finished Ipswich 1 – 1 Manchester United. Ruben Amorim wasn’t to be victorious on his United debut.

Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Manchester United FC at Portman R...
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

But alas, many United managers in the past have gotten off to shaky starts. That includes Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag lost his first game as Red Devils boss to Brighton

Ten Hag’s first competitive game as United boss was a 2-1 loss at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion – at Old Trafford might we add.

Brighton’s Pascal Groß scored twice in the first half, and an own goal by Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister in the second half provided United’s only goal.

I went back and watched the highlights for this fixture following Amorim’s Red Devils debut, and a few things stood out immediately.

Aside from the bitter defeat – there was also immediate questions raised on Ten Hag’s team selection against the Seagulls.

The Dutchman decided to shun Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench and chose Christian Eriksen to play a false nine. It didn’t exactly pay off.

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag speaks to his players during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and...
Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images

Strange decision-making from Erik ten Hag

Eriksen was woeful in this position and lasted just 45 minutes, where United would go two goals down before he was shifted back into his usual midfield role.

But it wasn’t just Eriksen who looked a little disjointed. United as a whole looked absolutely lost against Roberto de Zerbi’s tenacious, dynamic side – and were lucky to stay in the game for as long as they did.

Ten Hag also made poor substitutions and tactical changes, at poor times. A common theme during his tenure at Old Trafford. The game was dead and buried even before half-time.

Whilst Amorim didn’t exactly get the result he would’ve intended against Ipswich, there was one thing clear as day to see. Something that Ten Hag actually never quite mastered during his time at Carrington.

Ruben Amorim’s style of play was clear in United debut, Ten Hag’s was not

Amorim lined up against Ipswich with his 3-4-3 formation, which meant that Manchester United’s first-team squad members were playing in some unorthodox roles.

Granted, it didn’t work the first time to the desired effect, but there is a clear vision from Amorim from minute one. A vision that won’t be overlooked, and will be the direction the club heads in moving forward.

Ten Hag, proved in his inaugural United fixture, that he simply didn’t have a system, and that remained a constant factor throughout his United career.

This is the main difference between the two in the early stages, and as Amorim works with his squad more and more, United will slowly reap the rewards.

Baby steps, but initial signs are here. Amorim has a clear style of play, that he intends to stick to. Ten Hag on the other hand, never even did.



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