Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

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His contract situations quite interesting. He's only got 18 months left on it now. This is usually the time the club makes the dumbass mistake of signing an extension that puts you in even more trouble.
 

led_scholes

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We have Martial and Hojlund as options up top.
He should try a youngster or anyone else really. Just McT or someone as false 9. With Martial we are not going to play anyway they way he wants. Martial has proved that he should not be in the club, and he is not going to offer anything.
 

Red00012

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He should try a youngster or anyone else really. Just McT or someone as false 9. With Martial we are not going to play anyway they way he wants. Martial has proved that he should not be in the club, and he is not going to offer anything.
After Hojlund he is the best we have as an option.
 

Red00012

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His contract situations quite interesting. He's only got 18 months left on it now. This is usually the time the club makes the dumbass mistake of signing an extension that puts you in even more trouble.
I’d be thinking there’s no chance of a renewal until the end of the season if he survives that long .
 

Xaviboy

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Think he needs go 4-2-2-2 next few games. Have 2 holding midfielders to sit in front of the back 4. Back to basics. Get more control in middle of the park.

Go with Hojlund and Mctominey upfront.
Garnacho on left and Antony on right.

Bruno and Amrabat in midfielder as holding midfielders. Not get forward. Bruno to just look for ball of the back 4 and dictate play from deep like Everton game at home last season.

Let's cut this 100 mph play out as good as it looks at times we get cut open every time.

Bayern and Liverpool just pick us off if we leave spaces like we have been all season.
 

Alex99

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after bringing in 16 of his own players.
Can't be arsed with the rest of the post. Some I agree with, and the bits I don't have likely been addressed a billion times before.

This bit is bollocks though, isn't it?

It's such a disingenuous representation of the players he's actually managed to bring in.

For starters, a quarter of them are goalkeepers, three of which were only ever going to be second choice, two of which were loans, and one of which was a loan we had to make because Newcastle terminated the first one.

One is a loaned in left-back, arranged as an emergency signing on deadline day.

Two are loaned in midfielders, one of which was brought in as temporary cover for injuries last January.

One is a loaned in striker also brought in as a temporary measure in January.

One is a free transfer, back-up centre back, in the form of 35-year-old Jonny Evans.

One is a free transfer, stop-gap midfielder in the form of a now 31-year-old, post-heart-attack Christian Eriksen.

So that's 9 of 16 that are either free transfers, loans, and/or reserve goalkeepers.

Of the rest, even one of them is a back-up left- back (who has actually done okay when called upon).

So we're actually talking 6 players, not 16, the best of which (Martinez) has been out pretty much all season, the next best (Casemiro) has also missed about half the season so far, which leaves Antony and the three signed this season, one of which (Mount) has also missed half the season so far, and the others are a 20-year-old (Hojlund) that's been thrust into the side with the expectation that he'll be our main source of goals, and a goalkeeper that's yet to play a run of games behind anything resembling our best team.
 

Jeffthered

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Can't be arsed with the rest of the post. Some I agree with, and the bits I don't have likely been addressed a billion times before.

This bit is bollocks though, isn't it?

It's such a disingenuous representation of the players he's actually managed to bring in.

For starters, a quarter of them are goalkeepers, three of which were only ever going to be second choice, two of which were loans, and one of which was a loan we had to make because Newcastle terminated the first one.

One is a loaned in left-back, arranged as an emergency signing on deadline day.

Two are loaned in midfielders, one of which was brought in as temporary cover for injuries last January.

One is a loaned in striker also brought in as a temporary measure in January.

One is a free transfer, back-up centre back, in the form of 35-year-old Jonny Evans.

One is a free transfer, stop-gap midfielder in the form of a now 31-year-old, post-heart-attack Christian Eriksen.

So that's 9 of 16 that are either free transfers, loans, and/or reserve goalkeepers.

Of the rest, even one of them is a back-up left- back (who has actually done okay when called upon).

So we're actually talking 6 players, not 16, the best of which (Martinez) has been out pretty much all season, the next best (Casemiro) has also missed about half the season so far, which leaves Antony and the three signed this season, one of which (Mount) has also missed half the season so far, and the others are a 20-year-old (Hojlund) that's been thrust into the side with the expectation that he'll be our main source of goals, and a goalkeeper that's yet to play a run of games behind anything resembling our best team.
@Alex99, a couple of things ok;

First of all, yes, I'm sure many views shared on here have elicited responses ('billions times..' etc) which is the very purpose and nature of any forum, so I hope that's encouraged. You then set out to name, or should I explain, who he has brought in, what terms, physical health etc. I am actually aware of all that. But it does not change, in fact, just confirms my point.. he has brought in 16 players. Are not players on loan, er, players?

Buying and loaning players is hardly a unique feature for a professional football manager. I fail to see your point.
 

DomesticTadpole

Doom-monger obsessed with Herrera & the M.E.N.
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People asking for him to be sacked. Who is going to sack him. Owners who couldn't care less as long as money comes into the club, Richard Arnold who is apparently on his bike and won't care less what is going on. Nothing will be done one way or another until SJR actually gets involved and he might want to keep the manager just under a different club structure.
 

tomaldinho1

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@Alex99, a couple of things ok;

First of all, yes, I'm sure many views shared on here have elicited responses ('billions times..' etc) which is the very purpose and nature of any forum, so I hope that's encouraged. You then set out to name, or should I explain, who he has brought in, what terms, physical health etc. I am actually aware of all that. But it does not change, in fact, just confirms my point.. he has brought in 16 players. Are not players on loan, er, players?

Buying and loaning players is hardly a unique feature for a professional football manager. I fail to see your point.
Looks very much like you are trying to wriggle out of what you said here Jeff.

The implication was very clear - that he's bought 16 players so the football should be better (because that's a huge amount of players) - but when someone points out to you of those 16, only 6 of those players are first team permanent signings, you apparently are aware of all the context and are simply saying 'hey, factually this has happened' and nothing more.

If you'd just said, he's spent a lot of money or signed a lot of players - you'd be fine - but you tried to be overly dramatic and someone called you out on it.
 

r0663664

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He hasn’t really had a lot of options where it counts to be fair. All our ‘best players’ are injured and the back ups are inconsistent or horribly out of form.
I think it is excuses, he could play 3 CB or 2 MF but he chose neither. Even we have a fully fit squad, we will be overrun by counterattacking teams whether it is Casemiro or Amrabat, Erikson, Mainoo and even if he signed De Jong, I bet you, we will be overrun.
 

tomaldinho1

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Generally how I feel. Don't really care who manages us anymore but the bonus with ETH is he is taking on everyone now and kind of doing what I think Ragnick would have done were he made DoF. People talk about standards on here being the reason you sack a manager, if we've learned anything in 10 years it's that the players are the fundamental problem.

The club has become the equivalent of a school where the kids have taken over - someone has come in and tried to instill some discipline and it's becoming open revolt.
 

Jeffthered

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Looks very much like you are trying to wriggle out of what you said here Jeff.

The implication was very clear - that he's bought 16 players so the football should be better (because that's a huge amount of players) - but when someone points out to you of those 16, only 6 of those players are first team permanent signings, you apparently are aware of all the context and are simply saying 'hey, factually this has happened' and nothing more.

If you'd just said, he's spent a lot of money or signed a lot of players - you'd be fine - but you tried to be overly dramatic and someone called you out on it.
Nah, come on. Not my style, I welcome debate and fair scrutiny, that's a good pubic forum imo. 16 players, is 16 players and my point is, just to clarify, that ETH has brought them in. They are his. None were forced on him. And none of this is unique. So, surely, their performance, how they are organised, how they align / or compliment the existing squad, how they improve (or whether they improve..) is down to him. Look at Varane? What's happened there? You telling me Johnny Evans is better than Raphael Varane? You need to get Johnny Evans, and keep Varane on the bench? (and I like Johnny Evans btw..).

As a pundit stated over the weekend and I agree; whatever ETH has in his head as a vision for his team, I can't see it; we as fans seem to struggle to see it; and the players seem to struggle to see it.

That's nowt' to do with The Glazer's, takeover etc. ETH' credentials and ability as a manager are being exposed, it's for him to address it. That's his job.
 

VP89

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If the boys are firmly behind him why arent they playing for him and why does he keep falling out with them?
He keeps falling out with them? That's new.

Sancho isn't a professional, and that pre dates ten hag. And ronaldo crossed a few strikes before being booted out. That's two. Are you throwing Varane in because Maguire displaced him? That's clutching but even then, that's 3 out of 25 players or so.

And this idea that the boys aren't playing for him is bollocks.
 

sullydnl

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Agree with him to an extent.

There is zero point replacing the manager within the current set-up. It wouldn't matter if we hired Pep or Klopp, they would fail here as they wouldn't have the same support structure they enjoy in their current clubs. Top down changes do need to be made first.

However, those top down changes could be imminent given the ownership developments. And if in making those changes at the club they also decide ETH doesn't fit, it would be entirely reasonable to replace him too.

So that argument only really buys ETH a limited amount of time. If come the New Year there's a new DOF and recruitment structure in place, it won't be long before they're in a position to make a call on ETH and who (if anyone) they'd prefer as manager.
 

Gordon Godot

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He keeps falling out with them? That's new.

Sancho isn't a professional, and that pre dates ten hag. And ronaldo crossed a few strikes before being booted out. That's two. Are you throwing Varane in because Maguire displaced him? That's clutching but even then, that's 3 out of 25 players or so.

And this idea that the boys aren't playing for him is bollocks.
People make such sweeping statements. So why is Rashford strolling around. Why do the team look up for about one match in six. Lets pretend its all fine, its clearly not. Varanne hasnt been great but we really saying Evans is a better option to start or sub on than Varane?
 

Gordon Godot

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Agree with him to an extent.

There is zero point replacing the manager within the current set-up. It wouldn't matter if we hired Pep or Klopp, they would fail here as they wouldn't have the same support structure they enjoy in their current clubs. Top down changes do need to be made first.

However, those top down changes could be imminent given the ownership developments. And if in making those changes at the club they also decide ETH doesn't fit, it would be entirely reasonable to replace him too.

So that argument only really buys ETH a limited amount of time. If come the New Year there's a new DOF and recruitment team in place, it won't be long before they're in a position to make a call on ETH.
I disagree. Pep and Klopp would do better, they have shown they can motivate and improve players. ETH now regularly benches is own signings. Sure we need to revamp the whole structure, but to pretend noone could do better is just wrong. ETH is not that great, he has no tactical innovations and has not improved a single player
 

tomaldinho1

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Nah, come on. Not my style, I welcome debate and fair scrutiny, that's a good pubic forum imo. 16 players, is 16 players and my point is, just to clarify, that ETH has brought them in. They are his. None were forced on him. And none of this is unique. So, surely, their performance, how they are organised, how they align / or compliment the existing squad, how they improve (or whether they improve..) is down to him. Look at Varane? What's happened there? You telling me Johnny Evans is better than Raphael Varane? You need to get Johnny Evans, and keep Varane on the bench? (and I like Johnny Evans btw..).

As a pundit stated over the weekend and I agree; whatever ETH has in his head as a vision for his team, I can't see it; we as fans seem to struggle to see it; and the players seem to struggle to see it.

That's nowt' to do with The Glazer's, takeover etc. ETH' credentials and ability as a manager are being exposed, it's for him to address it. That's his job.
Either you’re doubling down for no reason or you have a novel approach to how loaned or backup players affect how the team plays…

How does Wout affect how we play right now, how does Bayandir, how does Malacia, how does Dubravka.

Pep loses Rodri and they are a mid table team, Spurs just had a terrible run, Brighton went from inventing football to being bang average, Newcastle are now crap.

If you are asking is Evans better than Varane you haven’t watched us this season. Sadly the answer is yes
 

Gordon Godot

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Yes Phillip! Spot on!
No he is wrong. We have sacked managers as they were not good enough. Moyes was nowhere near good enough, nor have most of the managers been good enough. Yes we need to sort out the rest but we can hire a better manager. Its not that hard.
 

sullydnl

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I disagree. Pep and Klopp would do better, they have shown they can motivate and improve players. ETH now regularly benches is own signings. Sure we need to revamp the whole structure, but to pretend noone could do better is just wrong. ETH is not that great, he has no tactical innovations and has not improved a single player
Do better, sure. They're better managers. But they would still ultimately fail.
 

Berbaclass

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I disagree. Pep and Klopp would do better, they have shown they can motivate and improve players. ETH now regularly benches is own signings. Sure we need to revamp the whole structure, but to pretend noone could do better is just wrong. ETH is not that great, he has no tactical innovations and has not improved a single player
The same pep who walked into the best jobs in the world with the best players? Klopp maybe but Pep hasn’t remotely been in Ten Hag’s situation.
 

Gordon Godot

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Either you’re doubling down for no reason or you have a novel approach to how loaned or backup players affect how the team plays…

How does Wout affect how we play right now, how does Bayandir, how does Malacia, how does Dubravka.

Pep loses Rodri and they are a mid table team, Spurs just had a terrible run, Brighton went from inventing football to being bang average, Newcastle are now crap.

If you are asking is Evans better than Varane you haven’t watched us this season. Sadly the answer is yes
Pep was winning trophies before Rodri joined and I fear they will do so again this season. Such pathetic ways to excuse ETH failings. Spurs had a 'terrible' run of results but I watched 2 of those and they were great, should have beaten Villa 4-0 and thats no exaggeration. You could still see their style and what the manager wanted for them. You telling me we can see any style of play from ETH? We lose and play terribly.
 

Berbaclass

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You heard it lads, we just need a complete new club, top to bottom. New stadium and new training ground, and then we’ll finally be able to beat Bournemouth at home. We also can’t sack the manager because we’ve ’done that before’ and it didn’t work…
Stop being disingenuous for the sake of it. He’s talking about setting standards from the top and in all areas of the club that are currently lacking.
 

AndySmith1990

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Stop being disingenuous for the sake of it. He’s talking about setting standards from the top and in all areas of the club that are currently lacking.
If we're talking about setting standards, then it's a bit contradictory to suggest a manager falling well below those standards should be kept on
 

Berbaclass

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If we're talking about setting standards, then it's a bit contradictory to suggest a manager falling well below those standards should be kept on
In a well run club the manager is not the most important person. Neville is clearly suggesting that he is being failed by the structure above and around him. You know that so…
 

evil_geko

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Can't be arsed with the rest of the post. Some I agree with, and the bits I don't have likely been addressed a billion times before.

This bit is bollocks though, isn't it?

It's such a disingenuous representation of the players he's actually managed to bring in.

For starters, a quarter of them are goalkeepers, three of which were only ever going to be second choice, two of which were loans, and one of which was a loan we had to make because Newcastle terminated the first one.

One is a loaned in left-back, arranged as an emergency signing on deadline day.

Two are loaned in midfielders, one of which was brought in as temporary cover for injuries last January.

One is a loaned in striker also brought in as a temporary measure in January.

One is a free transfer, back-up centre back, in the form of 35-year-old Jonny Evans.

One is a free transfer, stop-gap midfielder in the form of a now 31-year-old, post-heart-attack Christian Eriksen.

So that's 9 of 16 that are either free transfers, loans, and/or reserve goalkeepers.

Of the rest, even one of them is a back-up left- back (who has actually done okay when called upon).

So we're actually talking 6 players, not 16, the best of which (Martinez) has been out pretty much all season, the next best (Casemiro) has also missed about half the season so far, which leaves Antony and the three signed this season, one of which (Mount) has also missed half the season so far, and the others are a 20-year-old (Hojlund) that's been thrust into the side with the expectation that he'll be our main source of goals, and a goalkeeper that's yet to play a run of games behind anything resembling our best team.
Great post that doesn't fit many extremists agendas on here.
 

VP89

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People make such sweeping statements. So why is Rashford strolling around. Why do the team look up for about one match in six. Lets pretend its all fine, its clearly not. Varanne hasnt been great but we really saying Evans is a better option to start or sub on than Varane?
You say people make such sweeping statements before extrapolating how the entire team has given up because Rashford was strolling?

Also, Varane is the right center back for us, so his competition is Maguire. Ten hag wants a left footer as left center back so it's shaw/Evans. Varane isn't playing in no small part becsuse Maguire took his chance very well and has earned his right to play. That doesn't mean ten hag falls out with everyone.
 

VP89

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@Alex99, a couple of things ok;

First of all, yes, I'm sure many views shared on here have elicited responses ('billions times..' etc) which is the very purpose and nature of any forum, so I hope that's encouraged. You then set out to name, or should I explain, who he has brought in, what terms, physical health etc. I am actually aware of all that. But it does not change, in fact, just confirms my point.. he has brought in 16 players. Are not players on loan, er, players?

Buying and loaning players is hardly a unique feature for a professional football manager. I fail to see your point.
Such a flawed basis to critique the manager though. The loan market is very different to the transfer market. A better question is why he's reduced to needing to loan players in the first place.
 

tomaldinho1

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Pep was winning trophies before Rodri joined and I fear they will do so again this season. Such pathetic ways to excuse ETH failings. Spurs had a 'terrible' run of results but I watched 2 of those and they were great, should have beaten Villa 4-0 and thats no exaggeration. You could still see their style and what the manager wanted for them. You telling me we can see any style of play from ETH? We lose and play terribly.
We've had a ridiculous amount of injuries in key areas - point is Pep gets lauded on here but he lost Rodri and they literally just fell apart - that DM role is key for all teams. Why are you putting quotes around terrible - LLLLDL is rancid. Should have beat Villa 4-0 but lost 2-1 in a game with a very even key stats. Don't agree.

I do agree stylistically we have looked so hit and miss but the blueprint is there, it's what Arsenal are doing and it's basically reliant on the DM - they also just have better attackers but the formation and setup is almost identical now in my opinion. This season everyone is dropping points, we have had Rashford, Varane and Case just fall off a cliff form wise and the club wouldn't/couldn't afford Kane/Osimhem so we went for a young striker who will take time.

Problem now is I fear so many of our fanbase don't actually watch and process games - it's just good or bad. The problem versus BMouth wasn't really tactical, it was a lack of player quality in attack (this is in part on ETH) but moreso, all their goals just came from basic errors. Bruno 1st goal, should be dropped in my opinion now for that. Shaw's horrendous pass for the second and then obviously his weakness as a CB aerially being exploited and the, literally, uncontested, header for their 3rd. How can we have 69% possession and 20 shots and be coming away with 0 goals
 

Xaviboy

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Agree and disagree with what Phil Neville is saying.

He saying Ten hag trying change culture of club and getting rid of people that don't fit in to the proper culture but he still insists on putting few of them in matchday squad or starting 11 and still walk around Carrington each day.

These group of players are bottlers when the going gets tough and wil get him sacked eventually. He needs to change things in terms of set up for games if any hope of a decent season or top 4 finish or to keep his job.