5 Players Who Have Blossomed Under Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United
Manchester United was a club in trouble. They were struggling on the pitch and were looking for solutions. Before the start of the new season, Manchester United announced Erik Ten Hag as their new manager.
Ten Hag was appointed at helms at Old Trafford after his brilliant success with Ajax. With Ajax, Ten Hag came into the limelight. He made an Ajax team full of youngsters into almost Champions League winners. Under Ten Hag, Ajax swapped the Dutch League on repeated occasions and was outstanding in the Champions League.
After repetitive failures under previous managers, the Manchester United board got the Dutch coach along with his project and his way of doing things. As soon as arriving at Old Trafford Ten Hag demanded changes. Six new players were brought in, splashing over 200 million. Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro were highlights of the transfer window.
Erik Ten Hag’s spell at Manchester United wasn’t easy. He had to endure two back-to-back losses in his first two games in charge. He had to make some tough calls in order to revive Manchester United. One of the biggest calls was reducing Ronaldo to a bench player and the other was dropping Harry Maguire who was then captain of the Red Devils from the team.
After those calls were made and he got time to settle in. Manchester United started to adopt the Ten Hag ball and results started to fall in their favour. With Manchester United getting back to winning ways let’s look at a few instrumental players who played a role in turning things around.
Christian Eriksen was signed by Manchester United on a free transfer. After his short-term contract at Brentford expired. It felt like Manchester United signing Eriksen as a second choice after they failed to sign their number target for the window Frenkie De Jong.
But to everyone’s surprise, Eriksen turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Manchester United. He was initially used as a shadow striker but he wasn’t able to show his calibre. But as Manchester United settled in he was deployed as a CDM.
From this position, Eriksen has been phenomenal for the Red Devils. He has played 4 games for them in that position. It is from here Eriksen has been dictating the play. He has been providing excellent passes to forwards to capitalize. Eriksen has kept midfield ticking. He at times drives the ball from that position forward setting up the Manchester united attack. Overall speaking Eriksen has CDM who can create as well is turning out to be a Masterstroke.
Rashford had a dreadful last season. It felt like he was going to be a substitute player this year, especially after the arrival of Antony from Ajax. But to everyone’s surprise Erik Ten Hag has got the best out of the Englishmen. He deployed him to play as no.9 in absence of Martial and ahead of Ronaldo. Rashford has repaid the manager’s faith in him by scoring goals.
At Striker, Rashford can directly attack the opposition with blistering pace. He can take on opposition defenders and get past them easily. In games played so far, Rashford managed to score 3 goals and provided 2 assists. Overall Rashford’s game has completely transformed since the arrival of Erik Ten Hag.
The third player on our list will be Manchester United’s summer arrival at the heart of defence Lisandro Martinez. Lisandro signed from Ajax for a whopping fee of 55 million. Since coming to Old Trafford he has been criticized by English Pundits. Martinez was criticized for his height due to him being shorter than many other Premier League defenders. Also, he was criticized for coming from the Dutch league which was regarded as lower level than the premier league.
Martinez too initially found life difficult at Old Trafford. He was caught out at times and was targeted by attackers owing to his height. But credit to Ten Hag he stuck with his man throughout. Since that Liverpool game wherein Martinez came into his own, he has been their best defender.
He has formed a solid partnership alongside Varane and together they have been rock solid for Manchester united. Another advantage of having Lisandro is that since he has arrived from Ajax he is naturally good with the ball at his feet and thus at times he can drive the ball forward from that centre-back position.
What a turnaround it has been for Lisandro Martinez. From termed as a big money flop signing to being Manchester United player of the month. Yes, you heard it right Lisandro Martinez has been announced as Manchester United Player of the month for August.
Another player who has announced himself under Erik Ten Hag is Manchester United Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot. Dalot has been at Old Trafford for the past few seasons. He never got his fair share of opportunities in the first team. He spent most of his time out on loans. His loan spell with Italian Champions AC Milan is where he came into his own.
After the arrival of Ten Hag, he immediately discarded Manchester United star Right back signing Aaron Wan Bissaka. United actually tried to get a new right back but they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Thus Ten Hag then decided to play Dalot in that right-back role.
Initially, Dalot too struggled in that role. But the Dutch coach continued to persist with him. Dalot came into his own soon. Dalot has become Manchester United’s no.1 choice at Right Back. The Portuguese International has improved his game in both aspects of the field be it defensively or offensively. He has made that right flank at United his own. Against Southampton, Dalot was Red Devils’ star player.
The last player on the list is Manchester United’s new left-back Tyrell Malacia. The Dutch left-back was Erik Ten Hag, his first signing as the Manchester United manager. He was signed from the Dutch club Feyenoord. Malacia was initially signed to be back up to Luke Shaw as Ten Hag wasn’t happy with Alex Telles. With Luke Shaw’s performance being questionable in the first two premier league games. He was soon dropped from the team and Malacia got his chance.
Malacia hasn’t offered much in the last third, but his ferocious presence at the back has been praised. Malacia will undoubtedly play in more games and have a fantastic chance to claim the spot as his own.
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