Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

[flappyjay]

We likely won't pay the 60 or 40 mil up front, so the 18mil we save on De Gea's wages is actually useful.

12m year to pay the team we buy from and give the keeper 4-6 m a year as wages. Dean Henderson looks on his was to Nottingham forest.

 

[cyberman]

7 players including loans.

We had the likes of Varane, Rashford, Sancho, Bruno etc already, we weren't a complete lost cause like some would have you believe, just badly mismanaged.

I can’t believe you put Rashford in there. You don’t rate the man at all

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

7 players including loans.

We had the likes of Varane, Rashford, Sancho, Bruno etc already, we weren't a complete lost cause like some would have you believe, just badly mismanaged.

Do you honestly think that Weghorst and Sabitzer would have been anywhere near Ten Hag's want list if he wasn't absolutely hamstrung by lack of funds? Arsenal brought Trossard and Jorginho in in January.

 

[Rapsel]

We likely won't pay the 60 or 40 mil up front, so the 18mil we save on De Gea's wages is actually useful.

Often made mistake. Salary and money for transfers are two different things on the balance. You can't just say "Let's get rid of three useless expensive players and use their salary to buy one good player." That's every accountant's nightmare.

 

[Crimson King]

I can’t believe you put Rashford in there. You don’t rate the man at all

They've included Sancho as well, who actually has been a bit of a lost cause so far, unfortunately. He looked a great signing at the time, such a shame.

The only players I had a modicum of faith in before EtH arrived were Rashford, Bruno, Varane and Shaw. That means at the end of last season I felt like we needed 7 new first XI players! And that's not taking into account the squad depth as well.

I don't understand why people are trying to undermine the job he's done so far. He came into an absolute clusterfeck, and has actually managed to restore some sense of an upward trajectory! Be happy guys, for fecks sake!

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

I don't understand why people are trying to undermine the job he's done so far. He came into an absolute clusterfeck, and has actually managed to restore some sense of an upward trajectory! Be happy guys, for fecks sake!

So bizarre isn't it?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

So bizarre isn't it?

A lot of them worry too much about what other teams are doing rather than how well we have done. Which considering the way last season went is very well. I am really hopeful for the future while some will now be terrified Spurs will finish above us. I have stopped worrying about things that might not even happen, it is bad for your mental and physical health.

 

[GueRed]

I just hope he's backed this summer

 

[Crimson King]

A lot of them worry too much about what other teams are doing rather than how well we have done. Which considering the way last season went is very well. I am really hopeful for the future while some will now be terrified Spurs will finish above us. I have stopped worrying about things that might not even happen, it is bad for your mental and physical health.

Good on you, it's a much better frame of mind to live with and also with which to enjoy football.

At the end of the day I'm a Man Utd fan, I just want to see them doing well. This season has been better than a lot of them since Fergie retired, and even though it was a slog at times with the schedule, I mostly enjoyed what I saw. Honestly, sometimes it feels like the people on here fell into a coma after our last title win and have only just woken up. There's no point in whining about 'below the expectations of the greatest club in the world' when that moniker has been slowly eroded by the Glazers for the last 18 years!

City could win the treble every season for the next 5 years and I honestly wouldn't care, as long as we were finishing 2nd, played good football, had players I could actually like and admire, and also won whatever other trophy was left to win. Probably the league cup.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Good on you, it's a much better frame of mind to live with and also with which to enjoy football.

At the end of the day I'm a Man Utd fan, I just want to see them doing well. This season has been better than a lot of them since Fergie retired, and even though it was a slog at times with the schedule, I mostly enjoyed what I saw. Honestly, sometimes it feels like the people on here fell into a coma after our last title win and have only just woken up. There's no point in whining about 'below the expectations of the greatest club in the world' when that moniker has been slowly eroded by the Glazers for the last 18 years!

City could win the treble every season for the next 5 years and I honestly wouldn't care, as long as we were finishing 2nd, played good football, had players I could actually like and admire, and also won whatever other trophy was left to win. Probably the league cup.

I actually stay out of matchday threads now as I found it too stressful and too many looking for an argument. Not worth the stress. If City end up that successful I am not sure it would be good for the PL. The attraction of the PL is being competitive, if that stops it could become an issue.

 

[nickm]

You can post hundreds of signings managers asked for and paid ton of money to get them just for them to flop hard and say it's a proof managers know jack shit about signings as well.

It just doesn't work like that.

Good managers know how to strengthen their team based on a vision of how they want their team to play. Sometimes players don't work out. But without knowing the manager's vision or their assessment of where the team needs to improve, how on earth can anyone say whether Mount is a good or bad signing? I will say I think Ten Hag knows what he's doing. I think his transfers this season have worked out pretty well overall and shows he has good judgement when it comes to players and how to use them.

 

[Crimson King]

I actually stay out of matchday threads now as I found it too stressful and too many looking for an argument. Not worth the stress. If City end up that successful I am not sure it would be good for the PL. The attraction of the PL is being competitive, if that stops it could become an issue.

Matchday threads are incredibly toxic.

Hopefully it won't get that way, but they've won 5 of the last 6 league titles, haven't they? Unlike winners in the past, they've elevated themselves to a point where their team doesn't seem to come to a natural 'end'. They can just replace parts at will with equally WC players and it doesn't really slow them down. Even at our most dominant under Fergie, he had to work within limits. Sometimes that was just the fact La Liga and Serie A were still a big drawer compared to the PL. Not so much at the moment.

Maybe when Pep finally leaves, but I don't see where he'd go. City is the perfect laboratory for him.

Won't stop me watching and cheering on United though.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Matchday threads are incredibly toxic.

Hopefully it won't get that way, but they've won 5 of the last 6 league titles, haven't they? Unlike winners in the past, they've elevated themselves to a point where their team doesn't seem to come to a natural 'end'. They can just replace parts at will with equally WC players and it doesn't really slow them down. Even at our most dominant under Fergie, he had to work within limits. Sometimes that was just the fact La Liga and Serie A were still a big drawer compared to the PL. Not so much at the moment.

Maybe when Pep finally leaves, but I don't see where he'd go. City is the perfect laboratory for him.

Won't stop me watching and cheering on United though.

Might get to the stage where teams forfeit their games against City and put weaker sides out, it might end up a bit of a mockery. Like them being a one team league and the rest battling out for the other places in another league.

 

[Sir Erik ten Hag]

Matchday threads are incredibly toxic.

Hopefully it won't get that way, but they've won 5 of the last 6 league titles, haven't they? Unlike winners in the past, they've elevated themselves to a point where their team doesn't seem to come to a natural 'end'. They can just replace parts at will with equally WC players and it doesn't really slow them down. Even at our most dominant under Fergie, he had to work within limits. Sometimes that was just the fact La Liga and Serie A were still a big drawer compared to the PL. Not so much at the moment.

Maybe when Pep finally leaves, but I don't see where he'd go. City is the perfect laboratory for him.

Won't stop me watching and cheering on United though.

If we win the league after Pep leaves, it will be tainted as people will think we only win it just because Pep is no longer there. We need to win it WHILE Pep is still here so it will get all the glory it deserves.

 

[Crimson King]

Might get to the stage where teams forfeit their games against City and put weaker sides out, it might end up a bit of a mockery. Like them being a one team league and the rest battling out for the other places in another league.

Well I guess Newcastle would get there eventually, so it would at least be a two team league...

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Well I guess Newcastle would get there eventually, so it would at least be a two team league...

Newcastle are a funny one. They sign good players and are supposedly after McT. Not sure the calibre of players they sign are going to get them right to the top. Maybe they are getting players Eddie Howe can handle. If they want to be the best they will need better players and maybe a better manager. Think they will be a perennial Top 4 side which they might be happy with for now. City have just gone for broke from the moment they knew Pep was coming.

 

[AndySmith1990]

If we win the league after Pep leaves, it will be tainted as people will think we only win it just because Pep is no longer there. We need to win it WHILE Pep is still here so it will get all the glory it deserves.

Well we could say City are only dominating because Ferguson retired. Doesn't really matter though

 

[Scottynaldinho]

I don't see anything special with his football. That said, if he can keep us finishing near the top I wouldn't mind us having him for a long term.

 

[Strelok]

I don't see anything special with his football. That said, if he can keep us finishing near the top I wouldn't mind us having him for a long term.

No offense but you really need to go see some ophthalmologist mate.

 

[Licha-Vidic]

Manchester United Football Club..
6 June, 2023
Status Report.

• We have a very good Manager.
• Now, we need elite squad to help the manager actualise his vision and dreams.

 

[pocco]

Do you honestly think that Weghorst and Sabitzer would have been anywhere near Ten Hag's want list if he wasn't absolutely hamstrung by lack of funds? Arsenal brought Trossard and Jorginho in in January.

I don't know. He also wanted Brian fecking Brobbey last summer, so I wouldn't put anything past him. Not long ago RedCafe and many of our fans were making a case for signing both of them permanently.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

I don't know. He also wanted Brian fecking Brobbey last summer, so I wouldn't put anything past him. Not long ago RedCafe and many of our fans were making a case for signing both of them permanently.

Well presumably he'll be offering them permanent contracts this summer then!

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

I don't know. He also wanted Brian fecking Brobbey last summer, so I wouldn't put anything past him. Not long ago RedCafe and many of our fans were making a case for signing both of them permanently.

I read somewhere he even wanted Freddy fecking Adu, the absolute madman.

 

[RedOrange]

Manchester United Football Club..
6 June, 2023
Status Report.

• We have a very good Manager.
• Now, we need elite squad to help the manager actualise his vision and dreams.

Fully agree. Almost all of the criticism of ETH here is misplaced and is more about the squad being weak and shallow. No striker, only on midfield playmaker who can only play 60 minutes per match, GK who doesn't like to step off the goal line and can't play out from the back, and a massive drop off in quality from every starting 11 player except at RB and maybe LW.

Its incredible that he managed to beat every one of the other big 6 teams at home with this squad. He's punched way above his weight at every club he's managed. I'd like to see what kind of results he can get with a complete squad and not having to start every match with 3-4 players who are completely lacking in fundamental skills required for their roles.

 

[nickm]

If we win the league after Pep leaves, it will be tainted as people will think we only win it just because Pep is no longer there. We need to win it WHILE Pep is still here so it will get all the glory it deserves.

Who cares. A win is a win.

 

[el3mel]

Good managers know how to strengthen their team based on a vision of how they want their team to play. Sometimes players don't work out. But without knowing the manager's vision or their assessment of where the team needs to improve, how on earth can anyone say whether Mount is a good or bad signing? I will say I think Ten Hag knows what he's doing. I think his transfers this season have worked out pretty well overall and shows he has good judgement when it comes to players and how to use them.

No one can say how Mount will turn out to be, it just doesn't excite me and I don't think he's the player we should aspire to sign if we want to close the gap with City. If he turns out great and performed very well for us, great, no one will hate to see that.

And I mentioned in his transfer thread that even if I think he's an underwhelming business for me, since he's becoming our player complaining won't change much so better to support him when he starts playing until we see how it turns out to be. Doesn't mean that I particularly like the signing, but moaning won't matter here.

 

[RedOrange]

I don't know. He also wanted Brian fecking Brobbey last summer, so I wouldn't put anything past him. Not long ago RedCafe and many of our fans were making a case for signing both of them permanently.

Thanks for all your posts, mate. Your completely irrational hatred of the manager just makes the wins that much sweeter. Every time Licha gets MotM next season I'll think of your scowling face, furious that the manager isn't Ole or Pochettino or whoever your little baby binky manager is.

 

[Idxomer]

There are the Ole and Mourinho fans and then you forget there were actually people supporting David Moyes strongly and now they are against Ten Hag.

 

[ArmaDino]

There are the Ole and Mourinho fans and then you forget there were actually people supporting David Moyes strongly and now they are against Ten Hag.

Poch too.

People are very tribalistic and they hate being proven wrong.

In this case if ETH succeeds(all the while having to deal with the Ronaldo and Greenwood drama, Maguire etc) it means that Moyes, Ole and Mourinho were never good enough to begin with. For a lot of posters that is too bitter of a pill to swallow.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

I don't know. He also wanted Brian fecking Brobbey last summer, so I wouldn't put anything past him. Not long ago RedCafe and many of our fans were making a case for signing both of them permanently.

No idea who that is, but he has a shit name, so I'm going to assume he's a shit player

 

[Ludens the Red]

Fully agree. Almost all of the criticism of ETH here is misplaced and is more about the squad being weak and shallow. No striker, only on midfield playmaker who can only play 60 minutes per match, GK who doesn't like to step off the goal line and can't play out from the back, and a massive drop off in quality from every starting 11 player except at RB and maybe LW.

Its incredible that he managed to beat every one of the other big 6 teams at home with this squad. He's punched way above his weight at every club he's managed. I'd like to see what kind of results he can get with a complete squad and not having to start every match with 3-4 players who are completely lacking in fundamental skills required for their roles.

I mean it’s all well and good saying that but if he’s given money and makes another gigantic error like he did with spending 80 million on a supremely one footed winger who can’t score or create goals then that all the former becomes repugnant even if it’s a solid argument to be had.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

I mean it’s all well and good saying that but if he’s given money and makes another gigantic error like he did with spending 80 million on a supremely one footed winger who can’t score or create goals then that all the former becomes repugnant even if it’s a solid argument to be had.

Shouldn't be his job to decide our transfer targets

 

[Ludens the Red]

Shouldn't be his job to decide our transfer targets

Based on his transfers so far I would much prefer that going forward but then everyone above him is a complete moron.
But actually yeah he should have a final say in who we sign. If he’s as great as a lot seem to be suggesting he is, he should be able to work out what’s required in our team like top managers generally do.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Based on his transfers so far I would much prefer that going forward but then everyone above him is a complete moron.
But actually yeah he should have a final say in who we sign. If he’s as great as a lot seem to be suggesting he is, he should be able to work out what’s required in our team like top managers generally do.

For sure, I do agree he should have a say, it would be equally problematic if he had signings forced upon him that he didn't want.

 

[Red in STL]

For sure, I do agree he should have a say, it would be equally problematic if he had signings forced upon him that he didn't want.

If he has signings forced upon him he should quit and TBH so should any manager in that position

 

[alexthelion]

Most agree with me.

I very much doubt that.

 

[ABTEK]

Positives:

• He stabilized the teams decline, improved the spirit overall, so he did great there.
• A trophy
• We secured top four, but, Chelsea’s terrible season and bad early performances by Liverpool had played some factor.
• Adding quality players like Casemiro, Martinez, and Ericsson
• Improved players like Wan Bissaka, Rashford, Dalot(?), Fred(?)
  

Negatives

• Our results as well as the performances against the top 6 teams were terrible, I’d say he is the one mostly to blame with.
• Questionable recruitment in Antony(expensive!), Weghors(terrible),
• Left key positions exposed without a backup plan (Striker role - Weghors should not have been here in the first place)
• Some heavy losses (the Liverpool game!)
• Poor performances in decisive matches (Europa league against Sevilla, FA cup final )

All in all, he did a good job but IMO season could have been better. He definitely needs a backing to succeed and he also needs to learn from the mistakes this season for us to go head to head with the top teams.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Based on his transfers so far I would much prefer that going forward but then everyone above him is a complete moron.
But actually yeah he should have a final say in who we sign. If he’s as great as a lot seem to be suggesting he is, he should be able to work out what’s required in our team like top managers generally do.

Not sure I agree with this.

Did you know Klopp didn't want Salah, but wanted Brandt?

I think it should be a choice by committee and not solely down to the manager.

 

[Ludens the Red]

Not sure I agree with this.

Did you know Klopp didn't want Salah, but wanted Brandt?

I think it should be a choice by committee and not solely down to the manager.

Oh i agree. My point is that he should know the profile of player he wants not necessarily saying he has to hand pick transfers. But do as say Klopp does where he wants a certain profile of player, feeds that to the recruitment team and they come back with options and explore which the best one is. As exactly they did with salah/Brandt. Klopp wanted Brandt first yes but he had good people around him offering him different options. If we had that kind of set up we definitely would not have signed antony.

 

[Mr Waffles]

Recruitment-wise, it seems that ETH has had more of a "big picture" view than we've shown in recent years. I don't think all his signings have been good (WW and to a lesser extent Anthony have underwhelmed me), but it does seem that he's exhibited a better idea of the type of player we need....I don't necessarily expect every single signing to be a hit-the-ground running unqualified success, but it is at least good to see an attempt to put round pegs in round holes. He needs continued backing, and hopefully our ownership shenanigans won't put the mockers on that too much.