Ten Hag plagued with uncertainty over Ronaldo and De Jong
Two weeks watching new United manager Erik ten Hag lead training has revealed a smart man whose priority is coaching. The Dutchman’s emerging side play in a fluid style and have a sharp way with the midfielders. These are the absolute foundation materials for any manager to succeed at a club that remains the country’s record title holder, but became a laughing stock last season. United’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in Perth on Saturday night was the first failure to win in four games on tour in Thailand and Australia, games in which United managed 13 goals and conceded three goals with one defense still suspect. As Ten Hag knows, this is the fake war. The real thing begins when Brighton arrive at Old Trafford on August 7 ahead of a trip to Brentford and a visit to Liverpool – two wins and a draw from those three matches would be a good start. However, Ten Hag still has to work with Cristiano Ronaldo due to a family problem and his number 1 signing, Frenkie de Jong, wants to stay at Barcelona. But Ten Hag’s job is to manage these headaches.
Martial is flattering to cheat again?
Anthony Martial has been a success on the pitch, scoring three goals, and a lively presence that has surprised club members with a zest for life he doesn’t always display. After last year’s lost season, half of which was a failed loan spell at Sevilla, Martial was one of the favorites to be sold this summer, but Ronaldo’s desire to leave means Ten Hag needs the Frenchman and has closed the door. If the manager is left with little choice, a question can still be raised about his faith in the erratic Martial: will Ten Hag’s trust be vindicated, or will the belief that he can succeed where others have failed come back to haunt him? Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick came to distrust Martial. Ten Hag is making a great call.
De Gea remains unreliable in goal
“I have to take care of him,” was Ten Hag’s terse reply when asked if David de Gea was to blame for Villa’s equalizing goal in stoppage time after he knocked down a corner. He was. If the manager was protecting his player, consider this: Ten Hag talks about the ‘in-house’ competition requirement for players, but having allowed Dean Henderson to join Nottingham Forest on loan, De Gea only has one rival for the England shirt. goalkeeper: Tom Heaton who is 36 years old and has played 22 minutes for United. De Gea is an excellent shot-stopper, but almost non-existent when he shoots a high ball into the area. . After Solskjær dropped him in favor of Henderson, De Gea’s response was last year’s effort: a sparkling return to the best. There are also questions about the 31-year-old’s ability to play with his feet, as Ten Hag demands. De Gea argue that this is not a problem however, his three touches from outside the box in a 4-0 win over Liverpool were more than last season’s Premier League average of 2.4. Can it thrive under Ten Hag?
Building trust is vital
Despite the results and brilliant attacking play, there remains an element of shutting your eyes and waiting in a group of players who, in the past, have tended to collapse under pressure. Note Ten Hag’s description of his defense as a “pack of cards” when he conceded an unlucky opener against Melbourne Victory, and the manager admitted that last season’s disaster is still weighing on his players. De Gea says he feels a “new energy” among the team and the team has proven capable of implementing Ten Hag’s relentless, high-pressure style of play. The million dollar question, however, is whether they can continue to do so for a long season that includes a month off for the World Cup. Ten Hag was asked in Perth if he would take seven points from the first three matches; the implication that a draw against Liverpool would be a good result. He gave a standard response about wanting to win every game, but the concern is that hiding out at home from his greatest rivals could seriously damage the attempt to rebuild his player’s fragile psyche.
Maguire’s trials and tribulations may not be over
would do harry maguire Have you lasted three seasons as an indifferent in Manchester City or Liverpool? No way. Ten Hag is doing his best to support the defender, keeping him as captain and saying he “thinks” Maguire is the first choice. But he also made the reasonable point that Maguire has to prove himself. The truth is that if Ten Hag wants to reinvigorate himself, he will either have to persuade Maguire to move up to a higher level or consider him a liability. The center back’s problem is not only his questionable positioning and lack of pace from him, but also his lack of presence, which makes Ten Hag’s decision to keep him as captain intriguing. Do you feel that there is a hidden fire within Maguire that can be ignited?