Erik ten Hag | Currently unemployed

[Fortitude]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

Thanks for taking the time to write out a detailed reply. It's not often I'm so in the dark, so this appointment (should it materialise) is a fascinating one for me from the offing because I really have no idea what he will do with the personnel he finds here. I think Sancho, Fred and Varane are all certainties, but outside of that, if and/or how he'll use the others really remains to be seen (for me).

Would take a lot of balls to start with that midfield. Not that there's anything wrong with it in relation to his ideals, but from the rawness of the players.

If I were to ask you to hazard a guess at the area(s) of our team he'd want to bolster at the earliest possible opportunity, what would you say?

 

[Red the Bear]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

Great post but that starting line up looks really dreadful.

 

[UnitedSofa]

Great post but that starting line up looks really dreadful.

Well detailed post giving plenty of reasons and all you have to say is “dreadful” line up?

I mean you probably complain about the line up of our best 11 each week, so no one’s winning that argument.

 

[Red00012]

It would be great to get robin van Persie song going v arsenal and we beating them 3-0 and he’s in the dugout

 

[Rozay]

The way this season has gone Persie would have long had his boots back on by now if he were a coach here.

 

[Red the Bear]

Well detailed post giving plenty of reasons and all you have to say is “dreadful” line up?

I mean you probably complain about the line up of our best 11 each week, so no one’s winning that argument.

No I meant that the specific line up would do pretty bad , I've got nothing else to say or add as I'm pretty sure he's much more well informed on the matter than I am , I just don't think we'll get top 4 with that line up next year.

 

[Marwood]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

I'd say most of that(Except for Martial) is what everyone here wants to happen rather than being specific to ETH.

Doninate the ball, work hard off it, play further up the pitch. I'd imagine that's what most managers around the world want ideally. If they had the players to do it.

A new right back, freshen up centre mid, a DM.

Whoever comes in will want to do that.

ETH will want to do what most managers want to. Get really good players with good attitudes who suit playing together. That's 80% of the job. The rest is tactical tweaks.

 

[city-puma]

As fans, we must back him all the way even when the results are mediocre all the way to Feb.
I personally hope the struggle can ease before Nov.
I think he will eventually get the best of each and form a system with every player on the same page.

 

[L1nk]

 

[jesperjaap]

Salah wasn’t Salah when he was 22. Sancho has massive potential, he can become an exceptional player. ETH can work with numerous members of the squad. Shame a lot of fans have decided that everyone needs to go and they hate them all, as ETH could do with a wave of positivity and support coming into the club, not a bunch of fans who want all the players sold and the stadium torn down, then the owners to sell the club all at the same time.

Genuine question, do you really think Ten Hag can turn around the performances of some of these players, as there are quite a few have been here under virtually all of the managers that have failed to do so since Ferguson and a number have certainly been here through Mourinho, Ole and Ragnick?

Not askign that as a critcism, I dont know much abot Ten Hag, but there does seem to be a tactical obsession and we have an intelligent tactical manager at the moment but are diabolical.

Personally forgetting the attitudes and performances, I really dont see that many tactically intelligent players in this squad to see how they vastly improve in that regard, let alone limitations in the games of some of them. Im really not sure how a tactical coach improves many, genuinely.

Im excited to see what can be done with some of the younger players breaking through and already within the squad, but without namin gnames ability, attitude and tactical intelligence and awareness, there is for me good reason to want a lot of the players out, especially some of the star names actually.

 

[Adnan]

Thanks for taking the time to write out a detailed reply. It's not often I'm so in the dark, so this appointment (should it materialise) is a fascinating one for me from the offing because I really have no idea what he will do with the personnel he finds here. I think Sancho, Fred and Varane are all certainties, but outside of that, if and/or how he'll use the others really remains to be seen (for me).

Would take a lot of balls to start with that midfield. Not that there's anything wrong with it in relation to his ideals, but from the rawness of the players.

If I were to ask you to hazard a guess at the area(s) of our team he'd want to bolster at the earliest possible opportunity, what would you say?

You're correct mate, the introduction of Garner/Mejbri is a bit premature but with me being restricted to choosing from the players only at the club, I felt the lineup in question was the one best suited to the football ten Hag wants to play, as far as profile goes. And it's a lineup that could be developed into getting the ball rolling as far as implementing the blueprint in question.



I think midfield is a obvious weakness that has been pointed out by many people. And a midfielder with strong defensive attributes, whilst also being strong athletically and technically would be a advantage to help ten Hag work towards his blueprint, which is to play in the opponents half and sacrifice defensive stability for goals. So in that scenario it's advantageous IMO to have players in 'rest defense' who are strong in the defensive transition to thwart potential counters. A player like Aurelien Tchouameni looks ideal in such a setup and would even allow the CBs to play as play-makers and step into midfield.

I think a fullback who exhibits high intensity and a high level of touch and technique is missing from our team. Our rivals have left us trailing in that regard, and if we're to successfully transition into a team that wants to play a proactive brand of football going forward then a top class fullback should either be bought or developed imo. But I can't see it happening in the upcoming window.

And I also think we could do with a striker who possesses a high work rate, physicality, aerial threat and also provides a target man option to give us some variety and unpredictably. It's a profile that is missing from our team imo.


So for me i'd hope we sign two midfielders, CB and a striker. And that will hopefully go a long way to creating the spine and foundation for us to get the ball rolling towards playing in a proactive manner in a compact high block.

 

[Adnan]

Great post but that starting line up looks really dreadful.

I could only pick players already at the club and I excluded Pogba because i'm assuming he's leaving. So my choice was limited. But worry not, we will buy players and the first 11 will look different to the one I presented.

 

[Red the Bear]

You're correct mate, the introduction of Garner/Mejbri is a bit premature but with me being restricted to choosing from the players only at the club, I felt the lineup in question was the one best suited to the football ten Hag wants to play, as far as profile goes. And it's a lineup that could be developed into getting the ball rolling as far as implementing the blueprint in question.



I think midfield is a obvious weakness that has been pointed out by many people. And a midfielder with strong defensive attributes, whilst also being strong athletically and technically would be a advantage to help ten Hag work towards his blueprint, which is to play in the opponents half and sacrifice defensive stability for goals. So in that scenario it's advantageous IMO to have players in 'rest defense' who are strong in the defensive transition to thwart potential counters. A player like Aurelien Tchouameni looks ideal in such a setup and would even allow the CBs to play as play-makers and step into midfield.

I think a fullback who exhibits high intensity and a high level of touch and technique is missing from our team. Our rivals have left us trailing in that regard, and if we're to successfully transition into a team that wants to play a proactive brand of football going forward then a top class fullback should either be bought or developed imo. But I can't see it happening in the upcoming window.

And I also think we could do with a striker who possesses a high work rate, physicality, aerial threat and also provides a target man option to give us some variety and unpredictably. It's a profile that is missing from our team imo.


So for me i'd hope we sign two midfielders, CB and a striker. And that will hopefully go a long way to creating the spine and foundation for us to get the ball rolling towards playing in a proactive manner in a compact high block.

Didn't ten hag become much more defensively cautious after that premature cl stage with that very bizarre Chelsea game?
I haven't watched all of ajax's games this season but from what I caught in Europe and domestically they seemed a lot more cautious and firm in their defense compared to their earlier 18/19 years.

 

[Cheimoon]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

Bruno essentially in the role Ziyech played at Ajax? I could see that working.

No I meant that the specific line up would do pretty bad , I've got nothing else to say or add as I'm pretty sure he's much more well informed on the matter than I am , I just don't think we'll get top 4 with that line up next year.

As @Adnan said, there would obviously also be some incomings. Looking at those 11, I'd except a new (suitable!) CF and DM in particular.

 

[Adnan]

Didn't ten hag become much more defensively cautious after that premature cl stage with that very bizarre Chelsea game?
I haven't watched all of ajax's games this season but from what I caught in Europe and domestically they seemed a lot more cautious and firm in their defense compared to their earlier 18/19 years.

The issue ten Hag was having was that he kept losing his best players and had to adapt to change.

 

[Adnan]

Bruno essentially in the role Ziyech played at Ajax? I could see that working.

As @Adnan said, there would obviously also be some incomings. Looking at those 11, I'd except a new (suitable!) CF and DM in particular.

The Ziyech role is the one I was thinking of as well.

 

[sullydnl]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

No VDB ahead of Hannibal?

 

[Red the Bear]

Bruno essentially in the role Ziyech played at Ajax? I could see that working.

As @Adnan said, there would obviously also be some incomings. Looking at those 11, I'd except a new (suitable!) CF and DM in particular.

The issue ten Hag was having was that he kept losing his best players and had to adapt to change.

Then it would be very exciting to see what he does with his hands not closed behind his back , a proper jump in level, though sometimes a more toys could spoil a child.
Tax for the info!

 

[United in sin]

I hope the club is not simply going to make empty promises to lure him. If the club commits on paper to honoring his demands and supporting him to the hilt I hope Hag holds them to it should he feel they are reneging

 

[Adnan]

No VDB ahead of Hannibal?

VdB probably will be ahead of Hannibal, but I'm quite excited to see how things work out with Hannibal, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him rotated with VdB with Bruno on the right.

 

[Fortitude]

You're correct mate, the introduction of Garner/Mejbri is a bit premature but with me being restricted to choosing from the players only at the club, I felt the lineup in question was the one best suited to the football ten Hag wants to play, as far as profile goes. And it's a lineup that could be developed into getting the ball rolling as far as implementing the blueprint in question.



I think midfield is a obvious weakness that has been pointed out by many people. And a midfielder with strong defensive attributes, whilst also being strong athletically and technically would be a advantage to help ten Hag work towards his blueprint, which is to play in the opponents half and sacrifice defensive stability for goals. So in that scenario it's advantageous IMO to have players in 'rest defense' who are strong in the defensive transition to thwart potential counters. A player like Aurelien Tchouameni looks ideal in such a setup and would even allow the CBs to play as play-makers and step into midfield.

I think a fullback who exhibits high intensity and a high level of touch and technique is missing from our team. Our rivals have left us trailing in that regard, and if we're to successfully transition into a team that wants to play a proactive brand of football going forward then a top class fullback should either be bought or developed imo. But I can't see it happening in the upcoming window.

And I also think we could do with a striker who possesses a high work rate, physicality, aerial threat and also provides a target man option to give us some variety and unpredictably. It's a profile that is missing from our team imo.


So for me i'd hope we sign two midfielders, CB and a striker. And that will hopefully go a long way to creating the spine and foundation for us to get the ball rolling towards playing in a proactive manner in a compact high block.

Nice to get your insights. I've enjoyed your posts.

As much of a downer as this season has been, his appointment - and what we all (most) believe he can bring to the club - is exciting.

I feel he has less obstacles in his path than the other managers we've had post-Fergie, because we have a squad I believe the majority would be happy to see gutted. Apart from the difficulty of offloading high earners, he should get more of what he wants in, and out, of the club. There's very few players here that outright warrant more time, which I think is a different scenario to what anyone else has had where there'd be outcry for prematurely moving them on.

 

[Adnan]

Nice to get your insights. I've enjoyed your posts.

As much of a downer as this season has been, his appointment - and what we all (most) believe he can bring to the club - is exciting.

I feel he has less obstacles in his path than the other managers we've had post-Fergie, because we have a squad I believe the majority would be happy to see gutted. Apart from the difficulty of offloading high earners, he should get more of what he wants in, and out, of the club. There's very few players here that outright warrant more time, which I think is a different scenario to what anyone else has had where there'd be outcry for prematurely moving them on.

Completely agree with you, and i'm very intrigued to see how things will develop when he (ten Hag) arrives.

 

[Jam]

Why would Van Persie struggle to get a work permit? A set length highly paid contract, EU National, long history of work in the United Kingdom?

Is it because it is a professional role and he is still doing his badges and therefore not technically qualified? I have no idea where he is at with his coaching currently and what licenses he holds.

 

[Longlivekeano]

If Ten Haag comes in, that will mark this season as a success already. It’s been rubbish thus far- barring Ronaldo’s nolstagic return aside.

To do List
End of 2022: get rid of unwilling, ageing, contract haggling, insufficiently talented players + those who cannot fit into his system.

- Sign players to replace this group.

- preseason

2022-2023: establish foundations and improve league position and maybe a cup trophy to aim for

2023-2024: establish a credible title challenge with another trophy

2025-2026: win EPL

Hopefully this will be the path it takes

 

[NewYorkRed]

If Ten Haag comes in, that will mark this season as a success already. It’s been rubbish thus far- barring Ronaldo’s nolstagic return aside.

To do List
End of 2022: get rid of unwilling, ageing, contract haggling, insufficiently talented players + those who cannot fit into his system.

- Sign players to replace this group.

- preseason

2022-2023: establish foundations and improve league position and maybe a cup trophy to aim for

2023-2024: establish a credible title challenge with another trophy

2025-2026: win EPL

Hopefully this will be the path it takes

Hopefully we win sooner than that. And we should if he’s a good coach, simply because we have tons of money to spend. Liverpool with klopp didn’t really spend as much as we can/will. I hope we look good next year, fight for those top 3 spots. The year after that we should be right in the mix for everything. I understand its not as simple as that, but this is ManUtd and the standard needs to be the standard again (yes that is a Mike Tomlin quote for my fellow Americans).

 

[sglowrider]

I'd say most of that(Except for Martial) is what everyone here wants to happen rather than being specific to ETH.
Doninate the ball, work hard off it, play further up the pitch. I'd imagine that's what most managers around the world want ideally. If they had the players to do it.
ETH will want to do what most managers want to. Get really good players with good attitudes who suit playing together. That's 80% of the job. The rest is tactical tweaks.

Basically a cultural re-set?

 

[sglowrider]

As fans, we must back him all the way even when the results are mediocre all the way to Feb.
I personally hope the struggle can ease before Nov.
I think he will eventually get the best of each and form a system with every player on the same page.

I think we need to see some form of his vision by end of Year 1. Some refinement by end of Year 2 -- get the tools in place by then.

Then challenging for some silverware by Year 3.

 

[sglowrider]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

Its amazing what the addition word of Utd can mean in terms of posts. Adnan versus Adnan Utd.

Great post. Thoughtful though I may disagree with a couple of minor points but that's me being pedantic.

 

[sglowrider]

I think he needs someone who will be the face of the coaching team -- based on the various articles, it sounds like ETH doesn't really enjoy the media side of the gig. That's why a McClaren would make sense.

 

[sglowrider]

The issue ten Hag was having was that he kept losing his best players and had to adapt to change.

I think that's one of his biggest selling points. Murtogh maybe heading a different direction -- grow the talent in-house and then sell them before they are 30y.o like what Fergie used to do.

 

[EtH]

Those are questions that have been going through my head as well, and it's not easy to predict what ten Hag will do. And I say that because the way he's shifted certain players around from position to position to add more variety to his attacking arsenal is very impressive and a idea straight out of Rinus Michels and Cruijff's total football play book, which was to disrupt the opponents defensive structure via positional rotation.

So if i'm to give you my opinion (take it with a pinch of salt), i'd say that we have to first try and understand what ten Hag will attempt to implement. And what he will try and implement is a set of ideals, which he will want to build the team around, and not build the team around any individual player(s). And those ideals are a coming together of different footballing cultures that form a brand of attacking football that requires the team to dominate the ball with purpose in possession, whilst maintaining a high octane/high intensity game both with and without the ball in a vertical axis with counter pressing capabilities. And he will want to do that ideally with the aim to play the game in the opponents half.

So from the players we have at the club, we have to try and understand who fits best into the above way of playing the game. And the above requires players who will have to provide a certain level of technical ability, as well as a certain level of intensity for the idea in question to manifest itself on match-days. So I will attempt to give you my opinion on what he will attempt to do with players already at the club. And i'm going to assume Pogba will have left us by the time ten Hag arrives.

It wouldn't surprise me if de Gea is left out in favour of Henderson who has the edge over de Gea when it comes to sweeping and playing out from the back. Neither are great in that regard though.

I think the fullbacks are a problem for us in different ways imo, and we could do with a fullback who can potentially provide the half-back option, as well as the wide overlapping threat in the wide space. Shaw I think is likely fine for now, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Ethan Laird potentially challenge for a spot at RB starting from the preseason tour.

I think the McFred duo will run it's course as a mainstay in midfield, but that will come about with the signing of a DM which will open up opportunities for Jimmy Garner and Hannibal Mejbri, who could be utilised next to the DM in a slightly more adventurous role, along with Fred who will likely also be a option.

It'll be interesting to see what ten Hag does with Fernandes because such a risk taker is probably best utilised on either flank cutting in or in a false #9 role. Hannibal as the AM with Fernandes on the right/left or in a false #9 role could be a option.

And i'm probably in the minority here but it also wouldn't surprise me to see Martial come to life as the centre forward under the guidance of ten Hag.

I'm obviously going to be wrong with several new signings that will come into the first 11. But from the players already at the club, i'd go with the below. Maguire and Lindelof could easily be flipped around.

----------------Henderson-------------
Dalot---Varane---Lindelof---Shaw
----------Garner---------Fred------
Bruno------Hannibal-------Sancho
--------------Martial--------

With just a few incomings we could look like a competitive ETH side…

——————Henderson
Laird—Lindelof—Varane—Shaw
—————-Tchouameni
————DvB————Bruno
Antony———Nkunku——Sancho

I think ETH will really fancy Laird. I do like the idea of Bruno further forward though which could be likely.

 

[NewYorkRed]

With just a few incomings we could look like a competitive ETH side…

——————Henderson
Laird—Lindelof—Varane—Shaw
—————-Tchouameni
————DvB————Bruno
Antony———Nkunku——Sancho

I think ETH will really fancy Laird. I do like the idea of Bruno further forward though which could be likely.

Not a chance he drops DDG. Ronaldo there is an argument to be made either way, I see both sides of it. But Hendo over Dave? No chance.

 

[EtH]

Not a chance he drops DDG. Ronaldo there is an argument to be made either way, I see both sides of it. But Hendo over Dave? No chance.

Not only is there a chance I’d say it’s likely.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Not only is there a chance I’d say it’s likely.

Isn't Henderson also supposed to be average on the ball?

Smart thing to do would be to add a no 2 who can play. Even if it's a young talent or something.

 

[EtH]

Isn't Henderson also supposed to be average on the ball?

Smart thing to do would be to add a no 2 who can play. Even if it's a young talent or something.

From what I’ve seen Henderson is good but not great on the ball. But that would be a massive improvement on DDG. Never mind his proactiveness in and around the box.

I don’t disagree with bringing another keeper in though as I think DDG’s days are numbered the moment ETH signs on the dotted line.

 

[NewYorkRed]

Not only is there a chance I’d say it’s likely.

I’ll put my money where my mouth is and bet you a hundo that Dave starts.

edit: just read your post above. Bet you another hundo that Dave isn’t even on the list of those that he replaces. AWB, Shaw, Maguire, McSauce will be the first ones out.

 

[Red_toad]

Genuine question, do you really think Ten Hag can turn around the performances of some of these players, as there are quite a few have been here under virtually all of the managers that have failed to do so since Ferguson and a number have certainly been here through Mourinho, Ole and Ragnick?

100% sure he can turn around certain players. Not all of them, but we’ve got some good players who are capable of far more than they’re showing presently

 

[EtH]

I’ll put my money where my mouth is and bet you a hundo that Dave starts.

edit: just read your post above. Bet you another hundo that Dave isn’t even on the list of those that he replaces. AWB, Shaw, Maguire, McSauce will be the first ones out.

I don’t bet with newbs.

 

[Caesar2290]

You're right, he isn't really. Yet even he offers a lot more off the ball than Ronaldo does. Over twices as many "pressures", nearly twice as many tackles in the attacking third, nearly twice as many passes blocked, etc.

Tactics matter but there's no magic tactic that will stop a player in the bottom 1% of strikers for pressures being a big problem in a pressing system. At best you're having to constantly work around a player who is as bad as you could likely get at the defining trait of what you're trying to do.

I know Ronaldo has been attrocious, but that's because he hasn't been played to his strengths in a disjointed team. The reason Haller looks so much better is because of the coaching and drilling ETH has done at Ajax.

ETH just knows how to find the role for the players that look like flops elsewhere. Just look at Tadic as an example. The man presses at 33 like he is 23.

Personally I think ETH will love Ronaldo. He might be a bit of prick and a diva, but he is a model pro and always gives 100%.

 

[United in sin]

It's pretty clear Rangnick can't coach it in the modern game.

It's all very well saying you want to press but actually making it happen is another thing altogether when all the top coaches train their players every day in all aspects of build up play to beat a press.

Rangnick has failed because his ideas are basic and dated, not because the players are unwilling or unable.

People seem to go off 1 half against Crystal Palace as evidence that he can coach an effective pressing system.

The reality was probably that Palace weren't prepared for it because it was Rangnick's first game and they figured it out second half.

Ten Hag is light years ahead of Rangnick in tactics and coaching and will show that next season when several of our players who've been written off look world class.

If this is the case then why did Ragknick come back from a long layoff from coaching to finish third in the league with a young Liepzig squad in 2018/19 (the average age of the starting 11 was 22.6)? How antiquated were his tactics? That dated approach seemed to resonate with the youth. Some of those players stepped up at bigger clubs like Warner, Konate Upamecano and Cunha, etc

That young squad reached the semifinals of the CL the next season under Nagelsmann who Rangknick handpicked. This post of yours may come back to haunt you if these players fail to adapt to Ten Hag's approach and im sure a good number of them won't. Hag us a brilliant coach but he's no miracle worker