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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tom Doyle

Picking Erik ten Hag's most important Manchester United player just got more difficult

Erik ten Hag has ended Manchester United's trophy drought at the first time of asking - not bad for a manager dubbed 'Erik Ten Months' after a slow start to life at Old Trafford.

United's 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle ended the club's six-year wait for silverware. The Dutch coach has ruled with blend of firmness and fairness, cancelling the squad's day off following a 4-0 defeat at Brentford and doling out a 13.8km run as punishment - but also joining the run himself for his part in the debacle.

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown the exit door following an extraordinary interview with Piers Morgan; even Marcus Rashford was dropped for oversleeping for a team meeting. Such decisions have left the squad in no doubt as to what happens when they cross the line set by Ten Hag. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Ten Hag's short tenure so far is the mentality he has built within the squad. The players all know the standards they must live up to in terms of mentality, tactics and ability, and there is no room for sentiment - just ask Harry Maguire.

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