Erik ten Hag takes charge of his 50th Manchester United game as Manchester United take on Sevilla in the Europa League tonight.
Erik ten Hag has been a revelation since his arrival from Ajax. He has got rid of a lot of dead wood, reinstated a fantastic style of play and has won silverware already. All in his first season, not bad at all.
He’s also improved the club drastically with signings. His acquisitions of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have all been roaring successes and we can’t wait to see who he obtains in the summer.
The players already have huge admiration for the Dutchman, United midfielder Fred stated “he helped us all” – when speaking with UEFA TV.
Quoted by Voetbal International, the Brazilian said: “Of course it takes time to adjust to a new manager, but he helped us all on the pitch and gave us ideas on how to work. He’s a great manager and we’re very happy to have him here.”
With his 50th game in charge approaching, it seems fitting to reminisce on some of the great moments that ten Hag has already provided during his short tenure at the club.
Erik ten Hag’s first United silverware
This was a fantastic day to be a Manchester United fan and equally as such for ten Hag, who achieved something that hasn’t been done since the Jose Mourinho era at Old Trafford – winning a trophy.
The Red Devils faced Newcastle United at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final and a fantastic performance with goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford ensured that United won their first honour since the Europa League in 2017.
Derby day comeback
An absolute derby day classic unfolded at Old Trafford as United came back from a goal down to secure bragging rights over the noisy neighbours.
Jack Grealish put Pep Guardiola’s side 1-0 up on the hour mark after City had dominated throughout, but ten Hag’s side showed fantastic resilience and scored two quick-fire goals in the 78th and 82nd minute to completely silence the City away end.
Old Trafford was absolutely roaring that day and it’s definitely a home derby day debut for ten Hag to remember.
Bye bye Barcelona
Arguably United’s finest overall performance in the ten Hag era has to be the two legs against Barcelona in the Europa League round of 16.
The Catalan side were on a ridiculous run of form in the league and had conceded very few times at the Nou Camp.. that was until United came to town.
They scored two in Spain to take a vital draw into the home leg, with a Jules Kounde own goal and a Marcus Rashford striker giving hope for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
The home leg was electric. Despite a dodgy penalty given against United, which put them 1-0 down – they fought back tremendously with two Brazilians striking in Fred and Antony to send Xavi’s Barcelona side out of the competition.
Rashford sinks the scousers for ten Hag’s first competitive win
Very early into ten Hag’s tenure was one of his finest hours, a tactical masterclass against Liverpool.
After troublesome first fixtures, ten Hag secured his first competitive win at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, and a tremendous defensive effort to see out the game.
The game sparked a genuine feeling of hope around the club. It gave fans the first insight as to what Erik ten Hag could really achieve for United.
Many more lie ahead. What has been your favourite Erik ten Hag moment so far?
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