The vast majority welcomed Erik ten Hag’s fastidious approach but some initially wondered if his direct style might prove too abrasive as the weeks and months went on.
’s first trophy parade since 2017 , it was worth reflecting on how Erik ten Hag’s methods were not immediately embraced by all his players.
That happened, of course, with Cristiano Ronaldo, when it would have been easy for Ten Hag to soften his stance under the intense glare of the world’s most talked-about club and the world’s most talked-about player. "OK, be happy for 24 hours but not be satisfied, because satisfaction leads to laziness. And when you are lazy, you can’t win trophies.”
Staff have been at pains to stress that while Ten Hag may have become only the second United manager in history to win a trophy in his first season, after Jose Mourinho, this was no moment for garlands. As he walked off, he was reminded by reporters. Returning to pick it up, he said: “I can leave it because next cup, eh? This one is in.”Ten Hag earlier demonstrated his jovial side on the pitch, dancing with Lisandro Martinez and Antony in that deliberately jerky manner made famous in the Netherlands through clips of the trio celebrating trophies with Ajax.
Despite the close turnaround, Ten Hag switched Rashford to the bench for the ill-discipline of sleeping in. Rashford responded by scoring the winner after being brought on as a substitute and last week, opened up on the episode with a ringing endorsement, and a clear description of how things were different last season.
Ten Hag cut him from United’s squad on Nov 3 and put him on a tailored programme in the Netherlands. He only returned on Feb 1. Sancho is one of the higher earners at United and a regular starter, but Ten Hag felt a serious intervention was required. Martinez, remember, was a player who lost his United place for winning a World Cup. He had one day partying in Buenos Aires but returned straight to Manchester on Dec 28 and he was desperate to play against Wolves and Bournemouth.
They have pride in less glamorous acts on a pitch, too. When Casemiro shepherded the ball out for a goal kick from Bruno Guimaraes at the end of the first half, he was surrounded by Varane, Martinez and Diogo Dalot in primal recognition. Varane also fist-pumped Martinez after he blocked Joelinton’s goalbound shot in the second period.
That time at Ajax shows Ten Hag can manage up as well as down. He lost Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt from his first good Ajax team, but he did not complain and instead created a new side that thrilled in the Champions League last season. He wished to explore new horizons but conducted himself professionally, and Edwin van der Sar, Ajax’s chief executive, still speaks highly of him.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Heartbreak for Newcastle as Manchester United win League CupLONDON: Manchester United crushed Newcastle United's hopes of a claiming a first domestic trophy for nearly 70 years with a clinical 2-0 victory in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (Feb 26). Goals late in the first half by Casemiro and an own goal from Sven Botman silenced the hordes of Newcastle
Read more »
Heartbreak for Newcastle as Manchester United win League CupLONDON: Manchester United crushed Newcastle United's hopes of a claiming a first domestic trophy for nearly 70 years with a clinical 2-0 victory in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (Feb 26). Goals late in the first half by Casemiro and an own goal from Sven Botman silenced the hordes of Newcastle
Read more »
Clinical Manchester United win League Cup in heartbreak for NewcastleLONDON: Manchester United crushed Newcastle United's hopes of a claiming a first domestic trophy for nearly 70 years with a clinical 2-0 victory in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (Feb 26). A header by Casemiro followed by an own goal by Sven Botman late in the first half silenced the hordes of N
Read more »
Winning mentality back, says Manchester United keeper De GeaLONDON: The winning mentality is back at Manchester United after a near six-year trophy drought, says goalkeeper David de Gea. United's clinical 2-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday's League Cup final at Wembley ensured manager Erik ten Hag will have delivered silverware in his first season. C
Read more »
Future looking bright at Manchester United as Ten Hag delivers silverwareLONDON: Manchester United's near six-year trophy drought was almost overlooked in the build-up to the League Cup final as Newcastle United's wait for major silverware spanned nearly seven decades. A clinical 2-0 victory at Wembley got the Old Trafford trophy cabinet door swinging open again though and, per
Read more »
Erik ten Hag warns Man Utd players there is no room for ‘laziness’ after cup winSunday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle at Wembley ended United’s six-year silverware drought.
Read more »