Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

[reelworld]

I watched the highlights of United vs Arsenal at Highbury recently, the O'Shea chip goal match.
All the goals in that match only need like 2-3 passes after United winning the ball to shoot .
I think this is the kind of football Ten Hag wanted the team to play, but his mistake was the current squad does not have the same quality to pull this off. That team ability to execute the right passes is incredible, and that make sense given you have prime Rooney, peaking Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs.

 

[croadyman]

I think Ineos will do all they can with in rules to make quick action in this window. Hope hope.

Olise and Yoro would be impressive start, Neves looks a very difficult deal due to the price. Toney after the Euros would be nice but suspect he goes somewhere he's able to lead line instead

 

[the_cliff]

The clubs faith in ETH seems pretty fragile, I can imagine a few bad results and the dark clouds will start gathering again.

I just wonder if that happens how long will the club wait before sacking?

Do they give him time to turn things around or do they think "f*** this, we cant risk missing out on Champions League again" and pull the trigger.

They're hoping he doesn't do well so they can bring Southgate in (who'll be available by then).

 

[Juicy Juiced]

Yeah make him earn that contract extension, needs to be in at least top 4 around the turn of year

He should be max 6-9 points of first place. Feck 4th place if we are 15 or more points behind leaders. It is his third season.

 

[bringbackbebe]

Gutted we missed out on Southgate and Frank Lampard. INEOS must reconsider their decision.

 

[croadyman]

He should be max 6-9 points of first place. Feck 4th place if we are 15 or more points behind leaders. It is his third season.

If we have a good window then agree with you

 

[Teja]

I think the extension will probably have a sack clause in it if he doesn't make cl, doesn't make Europe etc.
a

That also means he won't be sacked in December like all you gloomers are predicting. We will stick with him for at least a year. Frankly it won't reflect well on any of the leadership if we sack him in 6 months after all this drama.

He is also more than good enough to finish top 5 or so. He did that in season 1 (underlying data put him around 6th place despite finishing 3rd) and we'll have a much improved squad from then and hopefully a season without off field drama.

I'm still not convinced his pressing / build up ideas are anything special. We'll improve by default against smaller clubs with good signings in defence and midfield. Against the bigger clubs I fully expect standard United underdog counter attacking displays under him and quite likely that we finish with the worst record against the big six like we did this season.

To the Joao Neves thread!

 

[Blood Mage]

Of course we would! I don't want him anyway near us but if he is our manager everyone would.

No I fecking wouldn't. I'd be Southgate out from day one. This fanbase has got to start having standards again.

 

[NLunited]

I love how some are clinging to the idea we will play different tactics next season. Can’t wait.

You better hope we have a good transfer window.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

I voted for him to be sacked, but since he is staying, him and the team have my support, but there must be significant improvements, in performances and style of play, or else he should be sacked

 

[steffyr2]

I love how some are clinging to the idea we will play different tactics next season. Can’t wait.

You better hope we have a good transfer window.

Can't you just assume the players are all great too, since injuries were the problem?
Why change anything?

 

[Sarni]

Personally I think he thrives beyond Christmas. A decent window and a good start to next season is vital, but he with get us top 4 again next season is. Just watch!

I don’t even think he will be required to finish top 4 next season. As long as we are within a shout for European spot he will be all right.

Last season is probably where the bar is going to be. Do the same / improve and he will be OK, do any worse and it’s reassessment time. If we have little/no injuries then perhaps a few points more will be expected.

I don’t think his position is going to be under nearly as much scrutiny as people seem to think. If we are discussing contract extension it’s clear INEOS are happy with him and want him for the long haul, and they’re making that choice knowing very well where we were last year and accepting it.

 

[NLunited]

Can't you just assume the players are all great too, since injuries were the problem?
Why change anything?

We need squad depth and replacements for Maguire and Casemiro. Probably someone to replace Rashford as well. A fecking left back who is available to play.

You can’t demand consistent dominant attacking football otherwise.

 

[NewGlory]

Erik can get top 4 with a good team, and maybe even win Europa League, I have zero doubt about that.

Everything will depend on what kind of Summer transfer window we are going to have and if we are going to find ourselves with injuries / wrong players again.

 

[kouroux]

Well they had the same in PL 8th and 4th.

Time will show how the 3rd season pans out.

Atleast it will not be with Southgate thank feck.

And now Sancho will go 100%

It can't just be about ranking and nothing else. Otherwise finishing 2nd with Ole and Jose is also good even if we finished miles behind City

 

[NLunited]

I don’t even think he will be required to finish top 4 next season. As long as we are within a shout for European spot he will be all right.

Last season is probably where the bar is. Do the same / improve and he will be OK, do any worse and it’s reassessment time.

I guess you were wumming when you said you were done.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Pretty amazed by this decision. I think it’s the first time we’ve retained a manager who failed to get top 4. And this one didn’t even get top 6 or 7. It feels like Ineos want “their man” to be just right but I hope they don’t screw our fortunes over due to their perception of what that right candidate should be. Imagine extending ETH only for Southgate to replace him next summer.

Either way, given the football we played last season, it’s hard to muster any enthusiasm for next year. For me, aside from the initial additions to staff, Ineos’ start has been a bit weak.

 

[Sarni]

I guess you were wumming when you said you were done.

This is my genuine view, not a wind up. I think whatever the decision was going to be this year they were going to stick with it going forward and give it time.

It would honestly be ridiculous to keep him now, get him new contract only to sack him next year for not delivering some exaggerated target. Need to be realistic.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Well they had the same in PL 8th and 4th.

Time will show how the 3rd season pans out.

Atleast it will not be with Southgate thank feck.

And now Sancho will go 100%

Southgate will free and out of contract post the euros

 

[r0663664]

ETH is probably training the team too hard, that why there is do many injuries. He needs to reflect what he has done badly this season and not the repeat the same mistakes. He needs to start dropping underperforming players much earlier, adjust is tactics based on the personnel at his disposal, stop rushing players back from injury. As an experienced manager, I cannot understand why he makes such elementary mistake. He deserves to be sack, there is no question about it. Since he is staying our expectations will be higher. He needs to proceed well in to Europa League and he needs to finish top 4. He also needs to bring in 2-3 youngsters into the XI, that's the minimum expectations.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I hope we told him in no uncertain terms that we need to play front foot possession football where controlling matches is a high priority (although why didn’t we do that last year if that was the intention) and take transfers out of his hands (and hopefully not screw it up themselves)

Sigh. If only there was a candidate that truly filled everyone with hope. Let’s hope McKenna does a brilliant job this season if we are indeed looking by then.

 

[tenpoless]

Bald is best
Hag is beast

 

[Nero]

Abuse and hate did not win. My manager.

 

[Wibble]

They're hoping he doesn't do well so they can bring Southgate in (who'll be available by then).

If they wanted Southgate they would have had him in place and announced it after the Euros. As it is he and others are still backups if ETH has a mare of a start to next season. Given the other options ETH staying doesn't bother me especially.

 

[Wibble]

He deserves to be sack, there is no question about it.

I'd say there obviously is.

 

[Rojofiam]

I don’t even think he will be required to finish top 4 next season. As long as we are within a shout for European spot he will be all right.

Last season is probably where the bar is going to be. Do the same / improve and he will be OK, do any worse and it’s reassessment time. If we have little/no injuries then perhaps a few points more will be expected.

I don’t think his position is going to be under nearly as much scrutiny as people seem to think. If we are discussing contract extension it’s clear INEOS are happy with him and want him for the long haul, and they’re making that choice knowing very well where we were last year and accepting it.

Stoooppp man. No point in wumming anymore, his fate has been decided for now.

 

[NLunited]

This is my genuine view, not a wind up. I think whatever the decision was going to be this year they were going to stick with it going forward and give it time.

It would honestly be ridiculous to keep him now, get him new contract only to sack him next year for not delivering some exaggerated target. Need to be realistic.

Realistic for me is being in contention for fourth place. But not if there is an injury crisis that is the worst in the league.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

How many years did the scousers go without the title? 20 years? We're going to beat it.

I'll go one step further and predict that Liverpool and City (assuming they don't have any titles stripped) will reach 21 before we do. I'm that blackpilled on the club's future, unfortunately.

 

[NLunited]

Stoooppp man. No point in wumming anymore, his fate has been decided for now.

I think this season broke him.

 

[sglowrider]

If we have a good window then agree with you

What does a good window mean?

Last time we got ETHs players. And it didn't exactly turn out rosy despite being his players.

Now it will be done under it's under INEOS and probably won't be ETHs first choice or players he will be familiar with.

Question now is where is the accountability?

 

[Sarni]

Realistic for me is being in contention for fourth place. But not if there is an injury crisis that is the worst in the league.

Which is basically what I said. Contention for top 4 meaning we could also finish a few points adrift and be in EL/ECL spots, which would be acceptable as well. That will be the goal next season, then the season after with investment perhaps top 4 will be fully expected.

 

[Sarni]

Stoooppp man. No point in wumming anymore, his fate has been decided for now.

You all thought I was wumming when I was saying I expect INEOS to keep him and give him a new deal.

Exactly what happened.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Abuse and hate did not win. My manager.

"Abuse and hate"

 

[Ace Krampus]

I don't understand why seeing out a contract makes a guy a lame duck. If the last year doesn't count, why isn't the contract a year shorter? Do your job, you'll get an offer for an extension. Finish 8th again and you won't. What's the problem? Coach like your job is on the line - it is, every week.

 

[Rojofiam]

You all thought I was wumming when I was saying I expect INEOS to keep him and give him a new deal.

Exactly what happened.

Well, it was an unlikely scenario but ultimately not an impossible one.

However, contrary to popular opinion, this squad is a good base to build on, and considering we'll sign at least 4 players, 3rd or 4th is definitely achievable next season. Not likely that we can compete with City and Arsenal, but none of the other teams are light years ahead of us.

There's a lot of reasons to be optimistic, and 6th-8th with shit performances won't fly again next season...unless the performances and underlying stats are good, and we are somehow very unlucky.

 

[croadyman]

What does a good window mean?

Last time we got ETHs players. And it didn't exactly turn out rosy despite being his players.

Now it will be done under it's under INEOS and probably won't be ETHs first choice or players he will be familiar with.

Question now is where is the accountability?

INEOS are accountable for finding the right players that fit the playing style they want to implement. Erik is then accountable for getting these players to perform when they are through the club doors.

 

[steffyr2]

We need squad depth and replacements for Maguire and Casemiro. Probably someone to replace Rashford as well. A fecking left back who is available to play.

You can’t demand consistent dominant attacking football otherwise.

I should have been clearer and added a snark tag.

 

[red_de_pologne]

Only reasonable decision. Now let’s see the backing. I’m relieved because the Southgate rumors were depressing.

 

[izak]

ETH is The Best of a Bad Bunch of Candidates for the Job

When you look at all the other Candidates(Tuchel, Poch, Southgate or De Zebri) sorted out or talked to by the club there are question mark all over them, there's a strong case to be made for Tuchel but even he has had bad runs at good clubs and got sacked, not to mention he oversaw one of the Worst season with Bayern in the season just past.

The other three names on that list aren't even worth talking about as they are not better than ETH in anyway metric you want to look at it, having said that here's why I think ETH edged it.

First of were have you had a manager on rebuild mode win two trophies in two seasons having been to three finals, not saying it hasn't been done but it's still a very impressive feet.

Second of, in the two seasons he's been here, he's had to deal with a lot of things not related to football, which the media has made a lot out off i.e The Ronaldo Saga, Sancho, Antony and Mason Greenwoods case, which in my opinion i feel he's handled them fairly well.

Thirdly we forget how dynamic we were in his first season, yes his second season has been awfully bad but look at it from a fair standpoint, which other manager would have half his team injured for most part of the season and do extremely well? especially when you have to Replace quality players like Martinez and Varane for Maguire and Lindeløf, not to mention he managed that by playing more than 70% of the season without a natural Left Back, with Shaw and Malacia out.

Lastly for every tunnel there's light at the end of it, the man has promoted some talented kids, Mainoo comes to mind and I do believe he isn't done with integrating youth into the first team to bring balance whilst finding a winning formula.

Are they better managers out there surely could we have gone for them maybe, but in the absence of that, there's a chance the board has looked at the other candidates and decided ETH is the best out of a bad bunch and by so deserves a third year to try rectify the mess of the last decade.

 

[DontBeMeanToBeRuud]

Now my hope is that Ten Hag has found his tactics from the end of last season -

• Need for a False 9 with inverted forwards
• A CDM that can drop in to a third CB at times (Amrabat was doing this)
• Ten Hag letting Ineos know about the tactics and what he needs (a false 9/creative forward, a CDM that can drop to a 3rd CB at times, a new LB, a right footed CB etc)
• INEOS buy the player that they think is best for Ten Hag tactics and not the manager himself

We going to get better boys!