Erik ten Hag made an outstanding impression on Manchester United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in the summer. He was straight-talking in press conferences and it was understood the players were responding well to his approach in training.
He does not give much away when talking to journalists, but he provided a detailed answer when asked about the club's youngsters in Australia. Ten Hag said he was getting to know the players and he promised that young talent would get opportunities during his premiership. The Dutchman has stayed true to his word by promoting multiple youngsters to first-team training.
Ten Hag went beyond that promise when making the trip to non-league Altrincham's Moss Lane stadium. United's U21s welcomed West Ham in the Premier League 2 on Friday night and Ten Hag was in attendance, along with Mitchell Van der Gaag and Darren Fletcher. Ten Hag had just returned from Chisinau, Moldova and he was taking in yet another game hours later.
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The United boss appeared in high spirits in the 'premium' seats of Altrincham's stadium. Ten Hag was wearing a black puffer jacket to protect himself from cold under the floodlights and his assistant Van der Gaag opted for a Peaky Blinders-inspired hat.
Ten Hag has promoted Radek Vitek, Tyler Fredricson, Kobbie Mainoo, Zidane Iqbal, Shola Shoretire and Charlie McNeill to first-team training and that has meant Mark Dempsey's Under-21 squad has been left without some key players for matches this season.
Iqbal was on the bench as United defeated FC Sheriff on Thursday night and was not in the U21 squad on Friday, but McNeill started the match after travelling to Chisinau. Ten Hag and McNeill have seen a lot of each other over the last 72 hours.
Although McNeill has developed a habit of scoring goals in the academy, he was overeager in the first half against West Ham. McNeill had the first shot of the game and it was well over the bar, which was the story of the first 45 minutes for the youngsters.
United started the game with impressive intent, perhaps inspired by the presence of Tern Hag. Kobbie Mainoo always wanted the ball, which is an endearing trait, and Dan Gore looked menacing when driving towards the West Ham area.
Mainoo and Gore were excellent in the U18s' FA Youth Cup triumph last season and their partnership continues to blossom. United's academy places an emphasis on individual development over results and the pair are progressing nicely in this campaign.
Charlie Savage started in midfield with Mainoo and Gore and he was desperate to catch the attention of Ten Hag after not training with the first team last week. Robbie Savage was also in the stands and he looked animated whenever Savage junior touched the ball.
United dominated possession in the first half but they had nothing to show for it at the break. They would have also been trailing at the break if it wasn't for Nathan Bishop, who made a wonderful, point-blank save just before the whistle for half-time.
Bishop was proactive throughout the match and Ten Hag wants David de Gea to play the same. Inside the dressing room at the break, Dempsey no doubt urged his players to deliver more of the same. Dempsey did not want any setbacks in the second half.
But that's exactly what United got in the 58th minute. Fredricson was dispossessed just before the halfway line and Bishop was left vulnerable to a West Ham attack. Kamarai Swyer took the chance well and somehow United were losing 1-0.
United had not won a Premier League 2 match before playing West Ham, but the London club had lost all five of their league fixtures. It was the perfect opportunity for United to get their first win of the season and yet they were losing - it was a test of character.
Could they respond? The youngsters' heads did not go down and that's exactly what they did when equalising just two minutes later. Omari Forson scored and celebrated with Bjorn Hardley in the corner before realising he should hurry back for the restart.
Ten Hag raised a smile. The U21s' results haven't been great this season, but their performances have improved with each week and they are clearly progressing. They deserve great credit for immediately responding - it would have been easy to fold at that moment.
United controlled the ball after equalising and West Ham defended deep. Shoretire, who came on for Savage at half-time, was unable to meet McNeill's teasing ball across the box and Dempsey shouted "higher tempo" from the touchline.
Rhys Bennett urged his teammates from the back and was assured again in central defence. Bennett, 18, was once not as developed as his peers, but he's now making rapid strides towards a higher level. He made a strong impression again on Friday night.
United eventually ran out of ideas in the latter stages and the players looked disappointed when the final whistle went at 1-1. They should be proud of their performance, right in front of Ten Hag, who they know will give them a chance if they deserve it.
Ten Hag is the manager that the club needs - he understands just what the academy means.
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