Former Manchester United winger Tahith Chong has admitted that Erik ten Hag wasted no time in setting out his plans following his appointment at Old Trafford last year.
United appointed Ten Hag as permanent manager last April, with a view to him taking charge at the beginning of pre-season. He left Ajax at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and wasted no time in attempting to settle in at Old Trafford, hosting his maiden press conference less than 24 hours after United's 1-0 final day defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Dutchman, who will be aiming to lead United to their first domestic cup final in five years when they face Nottingham Forest in the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening, has made an impressive impact in M16, transforming the club's fortunes and erasing the bad memories that were created last season.
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Although he has been helped by the new additions he was able to bolster his squad with last summer, a number of individuals within the squad he inherited have significantly improved under his guidance, highlighting his coaching credentials. And for countryman Chong, who left Old Trafford to join Birmingham City on a permanent deal on transfer deadline day last summer, Ten Hag's training methods were similar to what he had experienced as a youngster in the Netherlands.
"Erik ten Hag was clear with his ideas as soon as he became manager at Manchester United," Chong told the Manchester Evening News, speaking in partnership with SkyBet. "I've been brought up in Holland and played there at the youth level, so I understand the system that he wants the club to play.
"It reminded me a lot about the Dutch style of training – lots of possession and passing. It was good for me to see all the principles I was brought up in youth, on a higher level."
One of the players to have benefited most from Ten Hag's appointment is Marcus Rashford. The England international has been in sensational form in recent weeks and has registered 18 goals in all competitions so far this term.
"Marcus Rashford was the player I looked up to most when I was at Manchester United – he went through the academy like me, and he was always there to listen and offer advice," Chong added. "On the pitch, everyone knows what Rashford can do – other players like Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes were always there as well to help you and speak to you."
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