Erik ten Hag is taking Manchester United back to the future - by using Sir Alex Ferguson ’s blueprint to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has revealed how he’s tried to invoke the spirit of Ferguson during the early months of his reign as he looks to put some devilment back into a team that had become a soft touch. In an interview in his homeland, the Dutchman namechecked United legends like Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Paul Scholes as he outlined his plan to make the Reds great again.
And although Ten Hag admitted that United cannot hope to challenge rivals Manchester City and Liverpool this season, he insists that a top-four finish would complete the first part of his grand plan. Ten Hag said: “ Manchester United didn't exactly have the fear factor last season.
“There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad. The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider - and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club. I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘how did Manchester United become great?’
“And for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity, spirit. You just couldn't beat them.
“United always had top strikers like Cantona, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. And top goalkeepers like Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea.
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“In the centre, there were big personalities like Jaap Stam, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand. And always a strategist in midfield. Roy Keane, the boss. Paul Scholes, a magnificent footballer and personality.
“And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. That’s the culture of Manchester United. I looked at that very carefully and then saw that last season's team looked fragile and vulnerable.
“When we get players, you look at their quality and technical skills. But you also look at their mental quality, that mental resilience - and we had to bring that back.”
Ten Hag spent almost £220 million in the summer transfer market addressing some of the weaknesses he had identified. Brazilian enforcer Casemiro was signed from Real Madrid, Lisandro Martinez and Antony followed him from Ajax, while Tyrell Malacia arrived from Feyenoord and Christian Eriksen was snapped up as a free agent.
United had burnt through more than £1 billion on new players since Ferguson retired in 2013. In an interview with VI Magazine, Ten Hag admitted: “The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough.
“Most purchases have been average - and at United average is not good enough. United's shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.
“We needed personalities. That's why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles.
“Malacia, Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard.”
Ten Hag added: “I think we should be satisfied with where we are now given the bumps encountered in the early part of the season. We are not yet competitive with Manchester City - and I still see that club as a step too high at the moment.
“I also expect Liverpool to be right back - and I see them, together with City, as the two teams to beat in England. Also, Arsenal are having a super season and are already far ahead in the league.
“Below that, we have to battle with Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs for the Champions League ticket, so the competition is huge. The club's aim is to play in the Champions League again. That should always be our goal. If we achieve that, it will feel like our championship.”
