Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

nickm

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You set goals and plan to achieve it.
There is no certainty we will achieve it. But if you settle for a lower bar, it will be impossible to win the title.
The state of the squad is a direct result of the Glazers and the managers they have hired before EtH.

No one including City look invincible. We have beaten two of the top teams after the early tumble.
It can be done.

But as the Glazer stooges have indicated, there may be no transfers this January window. So your expectation of not winning the league may well be fulfilled.

I am hoping the potential sale of the club is the reason for the 'no transfers' statement.
This is silly. You set an overall objective but you get there in stages.

NASA didn't try to go to the Moon straight away, although that was the objective, they did it in stages - they learned how to dock in orbit, they tested and flew the rocket and capsule, they learned how to spacewalk, flew men around the moon and back to earth etc... when they'd done all that (their consistent top 3 finish) THEN they pushed on for the last bit - the actual objective of landing and returning safely.

For us, a consistent top 3 finish means we'll have decent scouting in place, a well trained squad of consistent performers, a team that knows how to play and adapt to a number of circumstances, the ability to attract the best talent, all the support systems in place and up to scratch, and hopefully a few trophies from other competitions under our belt so we have a winning culture. With all that in place, hopefully a few tweaks here and there is all it'll take to push on and win the title. But that's what building a platform means.
 
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nickm

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I can see a draw at least against City. We have done ok against them with poorer teams than we have now and when we at last have a decent defence we are at least in with a shout of hitting them on the break. Have faith.
In TH we trust!
I think they play a far superior version of the game we want to play, so I expect us to be taught a bit of a lesson to honest. We'll see.
 

NLunited

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I think they play a far superior version of the game we want to play, so I expect us to be taught a bit of a lesson to honest. We'll see.
You are right, but we will adjust our game to theirs and even the odds. We were not on top against Arsenal for most of the game, but won nevertheless, deservedly.
 

little.triangles

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I think they play a far superior version of the game we want to play, so I expect us to be taught a bit of a lesson to honest. We'll see.
We haven't really played either their version or EtH's version of the game yet.

That is to EtH's credit. He has adapted to the players he has. There will be glimpses of his style this season - as there have been already - but we won't see the full version until at least next season.
 

Red Dreams

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This is silly. You set an overall objective but you get there in stages.

NASA didn't try to go to the Moon straight away, although that was the objective, they did it in stages - they learned how to dock in orbit, they tested and flew the rocket and capsule, they learned how to spacewalk, flew men around the moon and back to earth etc... when they'd done all that (their consistent top 3 finish) THEN they pushed on for the last bit - the actual objective of landing and returning safely.

For us, a consistent top 3 finish means we'll have decent scouting in place, a well trained squad of consistent performers, a team that knows how to play and adapt to a number of circumstances, the ability to attract the best talent, all the support systems in place and up to scratch, and hopefully a few trophies from other competitions under our belt so we have a winning culture. With all that in place, hopefully a few tweaks here and there is all it'll take to push on and win the title. But that's what building a platform means.
You have obviously accepted the Glazer mantra.
We have won the title before. The NASA analogy is ridiculous.
We had got used to accepting lower standards because managers have accepted lower investments and thus Top 4. Murtough has said Erik should use Youth players rather than spend in January.

I wont bother repeating the rest.
 

HookedOnAPhelan

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You have obviously accepted the Glazer mantra.
We have won the title before. The NASA analogy is ridiculous.
We had got used to accepting lower standards because managers have accepted lower investments and thus Top 4. Murtough has said Erik should use Youth players rather than spend in January.

I wont bother repeating the rest.
Haven't we spent more money than any other club in Europe since SAF retired?

The amount of money spent on transfers/wages clearly isn't the problem.
 

nickm

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Haven't we spent more money than any other club in Europe since SAF retired?

The amount of money spent on transfers/wages clearly isn't the problem.
No, the problem is clearly because we haven't typed 'be premiership leaders this season' into a powerpoint deck, or spunked funds on 11 new players. Plus something something Glazers.
 

golden_blunder

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You have obviously accepted the Glazer mantra.
We have won the title before. The NASA analogy is ridiculous.
We had got used to accepting lower standards because managers have accepted lower investments and thus Top 4. Murtough has said Erik should use Youth players rather than spend in January.

I wont bother repeating the rest.
The others are talking realistically, you’re so far off the planet we need NASA to bring you back
 

golden_blunder

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You would need to bring Erik back too.
Because unlike you he actually wants to win the title.
Why he is asking for signings in January.
Why do you think he’s asking for signings? Because he knows his squad lacks depth. I’m sure that EtH knows that this season is a season of rebuild and transition but that he will be drumming into them about trying to win every game and finish as high up the table as we can. It will be a good success to finish top 4.
 

afrocentricity

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Why do you think he’s asking for signings? Because he knows his squad lacks depth. I’m sure that EtH knows that this season is a season of rebuild and transition but that he will be drumming into them about trying to win every game and finish as high up the table as we can. It will be a good success to finish top 4.
I wouldn't be surprised if he thought he could win the thing. Different breed these elite managers.
 

romufc

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I think Ten Hag has done OK so far, nothing special.

When you look at different starts and analysis, we still struggle to score goals, our defensive line is still the deepest in the PL and we haven't shown much mentality.

Yes we got pegged to 1-1 but after the disallowed Arsenal goal it was all them.

We haven't seen our team do anything to note when we go a goal down.

Yes, we have improved defensively but everything else has been pretty much average.
 

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I think Ten Hag has done OK so far, nothing special.

When you look at different starts and analysis, we still struggle to score goals, our defensive line is still the deepest in the PL and we haven't shown much mentality.

Yes we got pegged to 1-1 but after the disallowed Arsenal goal it was all them.

We haven't seen our team do anything to note when we go a goal down.

Yes, we have improved defensively but everything else has been pretty much average.
I agree. We kinda play the same in many cases. Don't nearly dominate possession and have some dead halves. He's been OK
 

romufc

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I agree. We kinda play the same in many cases. Don't nearly dominate possession and have some dead halves. He's been OK
Exactly, there hasn't been a massive change like some suggest, I see people confident about going to City, I still think this team is very venerable.

I wouldn't be shocked to see another embarrassing result.

I get the Liverpool and Arsenal results may have clouded judgement but the other games have been quite poor tbh. Southampton away was a dreadful watch, we barely created and looked no different to last season, same as Leicester and got a goal on the transition.

This is a Leicester team that is bottom of the table and we were under immense pressure from them in the last 15 minutes.

Also, the Europa league games have been dreadful too, we haven't looked convincing in any game so far this season.

I really hope Ten Hag can sort this out, I do have faith but also we have seen alot of managers come and fail here.
 

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I’ve said it in the match day thread that although city are looking ominous teams like newcastle and Villa have shown that they can be held , to some extend by palace too. Villa were very unlucky that a dodgy referee decision saved city. I believe if we turn up like we did against pool and arsenal , we’ll get something out of it. Although ETH still has shown some hesitancy in making subs, he’s shown to take calls like he did in arsenal game to be proactive. I’m confident if players stick to his tactics , we’ll get something out of this game
 

Thoms

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Cant believe the stuff Im reading in here. Mindblowing.
 

Leftback99

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I think Ten Hag has done OK so far, nothing special.

When you look at different starts and analysis, we still struggle to score goals, our defensive line is still the deepest in the PL and we haven't shown much mentality.

Yes we got pegged to 1-1 but after the disallowed Arsenal goal it was all them.

We haven't seen our team do anything to note when we go a goal down.

Yes, we have improved defensively but everything else has been pretty much average.
I agree. The results have been been better than the performances and the last 4 games PL could easily have been draws or even defeats.

It feels like we're heading in the right direction from rock bottom a few weeks ago but many are getting carried away.
 

GaryLifo

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Cant believe the stuff Im reading in here. Mindblowing.
Unless United are winning 4-0 after 20 minutes and even then this has to be with the opposition having zero attempts on goal, there are United 'fans' who will not enjoy the game and only are able to criticise.

It's an illness in my opinion
 

HookedOnAPhelan

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People who think he's done "OK" so far - what did you actually expect after last season? Klopp and Pep's first seasons were not impressive at all, it took both of them more than a year (in Klopp's case, several years) to get their teams going, and Ten Hag has been here less than 4 months - coming in off the back of our biggest shitshow of a season (both in terms of performances and team spirit) in many decades. A completely broken group of players.

We're not going to win the league this season. There's (naturally) still lots of work to do in terms of our general play, and City are without question big favorites against us on Sunday. But the difference in mentality and team spirit that we've seen since the Brentford game is obvious. This is a group of players finally showing some fight, and who are winning games on pure determination. That's a start. A big one.

We might get beaten badly against City, at this point they're clearly a better team than us, and we're very much a work in progress. But the progress is there for all to see. Unless you're determined to be a miserable bastard.
 

GaryLifo

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I'm still convinced this guy is on another level to anything we've had since SAF. The level of performance isn't there yet and isn't going to happen right away but I'm liking what I've seen overall so far.
 

AjaxCunian

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I do think he needs to perform this season.

Fair enough he will get time to implement his style and philosophy, but in term of the first XI, I think we are about 2/3 players away from what his first XI could and should be. A goalkeeper, striker definitely, and possibly one out of RB, LB, CM (who are doing great so far).
 

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I think Ten Hag has done OK so far, nothing special.

When you look at different starts and analysis, we still struggle to score goals, our defensive line is still the deepest in the PL and we haven't shown much mentality.

Yes we got pegged to 1-1 but after the disallowed Arsenal goal it was all them.

We haven't seen our team do anything to note when we go a goal down.

Yes, we have improved defensively but everything else has been pretty much average.

:lol:


Every first goal we have scored since Brentford game has been well worked team goal, some a lot of passes involved. If you can't see that difference then not much people could say or show graphs and stats to prove it to you.
 

MUnchies

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I agree. The results have been been better than the performances and the last 4 games PL could easily have been draws or even defeats.

It feels like we're heading in the right direction from rock bottom a few weeks ago but many are getting carried away.
That's crazy because every top team in the league this season has had those kind of games, close games. And that is teams who have had their coaches for a year or more, ETH has just been here few months.
 

el3mel

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ETH has done only ok? Wow, seems like people forgot last season quickly
He has done OK. As much as you might hate it, we aren't supposed to say he has turned us upside down and done miracles after winning 4 games in the league, most of which were with average performance.
 

Escobar

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He has done OK. As much as you might hate it, we aren't supposed to say he has turned us upside down and done miracles after winning 4 games in the league, most of which were with average performance.
We were absolutely shit last season. We have improved under him, our play is much better, players are finding their form again, he had a solid transfer season, our defense is solid, work ethic improved, we finally start pressing other teams and we scored some nice goals. If that is only ok for you, especially considering last season, you underestimate how hard it is to improve an team who has been underperforming for the majority of the past 8 seasons
 

el3mel

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We were absolutely shit last season. We have improved under him, our play is much better, players are finding their form again, he had a solid transfer season, our defense is solid, work ethic improved, we finally start pressing other teams and we scored some nice goals. If that is only ok for you, especially considering last season, you underestimate how hard it is to improve an team who has been underperforming for the majority of the past 8 seasons
That's really only Ok and we are still only 8 games into the season. You are getting carried away too much. These things were also said at the start of every one of our previous manager's stints so calm down and wait a little bit for at least half the season before we start to act like he turned us upside down. At the moment, what he has done can be only be labeled as OK indeed. A lot of things still need to improve.
 

Escobar

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That's really only Ok and we are still only 8 games into the season. You are getting carried away too much. These things were also said at the start of every one of our previous manager's stints so calm down and wait a little bit for at least half the season before we start to act like he turned us upside down. At the moment, what he has done can be only be labeled as OK indeed. A lot of things still need to improve.
No one said we are peak Barca. But if you cant see improvements on so many ends, you can keep your eyes closed
 

el3mel

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No one said we are peak Barca. But if you cant see improvements on so many ends, you can keep your eyes closed
That's not what we're talking about though, is it ? We're talking about you being annoyed about people saying he has only just did it Ok. What are they supposed to do ? Worship him after winning 4 games in the league ?
 

Escobar

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That's not what we're talking about though, is it ? We're talking about you being annoyed about people saying he has only just did it Ok. What are they supposed to do ? Worship him after winning 4 games in the league ?
Acknowledge the improvements and build up some positivity on the way
 

The Red Thinker

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I agree. We kinda play the same in many cases. Don't nearly dominate possession and have some dead halves. He's been OK
Wonder why we can’t dominate possession? The guy sitting at DM named McTominay has been great at the job given. But can he be efficient in possession and converting to attack? No. He’s doing what he can. But that isn’t enough. ETH needs more and more technical players to be efficient in possession. This includes De Gea.
 

AdNani

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That's not what we're talking about though, is it ? We're talking about you being annoyed about people saying he has only just did it Ok. What are they supposed to do ? Worship him after winning 4 games in the league ?
The results are maybe 'ok' but the job he's doing definately isn't only 'OK'

When you take into account last season's performances and the squad he inherited, he's doing a fantastic job in not only changing the mentality of the squad but he's slowly instilling a playing style into a squad that hasn't had one for 5 years.
 

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Wonder why we can’t dominate possession? The guy sitting at DM named McTominay has been great at the job given. But can he be efficient in possession and converting to attack? No. He’s doing what he can. But that isn’t enough. ETH needs more and more technical players to be efficient in possession. This includes De Gea.
we spend an arm and a leg on casemeiro (leaves him on the bench) along with signing Eriksen and also Lisandro. So what do we need again? Xavi/Busquets and Iniesta?
 

nickm

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Acknowledge the improvements and build up some positivity on the way
The most noticeable thing for me is quality of his management and leadership. If people can't see that, and how the team and the match day fans are responding, then they are lost. Yes, it's only 4 games but it's 4 games with a side who look more like a proper, balanced United side, than any side since Ferguson IMO. I think we'll do well to hold City and that's OK, we aren't at their level. But I do think we finally have a manager with the vision and skill to get us there.
 

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The most noticeable thing for me is quality of his management and leadership. If people can't see that, and how the team and the match day fans are responding, then they are lost. Yes, it's only 4 games but it's 4 games with a side who look more like a proper United side, than any side since Ferguson IMO. I think we'll do well to hold City and that's OK, we aren't at their level. But I do think we finally have a manager with the vision and skill to get us there.
What is a proper United side, describe what you mean?
 

nickm

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Wonder why we can’t dominate possession? The guy sitting at DM named McTominay has been great at the job given. But can he be efficient in possession and converting to attack? No. He’s doing what he can. But that isn’t enough. ETH needs more and more technical players to be efficient in possession. This includes De Gea.
He does, but he will have to get there in stages, like all teams do.