Manchester UUnited’snewly appointed manager Erik Ten Hag was present at the Selhurst Park, Stadium, England yesterday to watch his cclub’slast game against Crystal Palace. The Dutch manager will take charge of the Red Devils beginning next season. He was welcome with a defeat in the first game he watched as a Manchester United manager.
The Dutch joined Manchester United from Ajax where he had enjoyed five years of resplendent career where he won six trophies. He will be expected to replicate his amazing stint from Ajax to Manchester United.
In his first interview with MUTV, Ten Hag said: “The current situation is not that good. It’s a big challenge.
“I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results. Also, we are playing in the Theatre of Dreams.
We want to entertain. But in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can’t play fantasy football, we still have to win.”
Ten Hag, who confirmed pre-season would begin on June 27, added: “In certain positions, we want to renew the squad, but one year ago this squad was second in the league, so there is potential and I’m looking forward to co-operating with the squad.”
“The way we did it – with dominant, dictating football – that is the way I want to act in Man United as well,” added Ten Hag. “But finally the competence and the quality of the people – so the players – decide how you have to play.”
He added: “We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams and have to entertain the opponent. We are playing in the opponent’s half and we have to do attacking football. We have to do the pressing, the total high-pressing – that is a similarity also – and the adventurous football.”
“We don’t have to go over my football,” said Ten Hag. “It’s about the Man United football and the Man United identity and philosophy. I think that you pointed it out: it has to be about attacking football. We have to bring structures in the way of playing, so we can play attacking football.”
He added: “Of course. I know the history of Man United, I know the big times and the audience, the vibe that can be around Old Trafford. I watched them in their big times, when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager, during the successful times when they won titles and were dominating Europe.
“But also before Sir Alex, Man United was a really big club and I know names like Busby and Charlton that gave Man United a presence to the outside world from winning, and winning spectacularly, winning so they entertain people. What stays with me is there was always a fighting culture. They fight together and they get success.”
