Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden believes Erik ten Hag has helped Manchester United restore a connection with the club’s fans.
The 52-year-old has won 19 of his 26 matches in charge of the Red Devils since becoming the club’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
The twenty-time league champions will be targeting an eighth successive win in tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against the Addicks at Old Trafford.
Since losing 6-3 to Manchester City in October, Ten Hag’s side have lost just once in their last 17 games.
Erik ten Hag is the right man for Manchester United, says Charlton boss Dean Holden
Holden, who only took charge of the League One side last month, has no doubt that the former Ajax manager is the right man to get Manchester United back to challenging for big trophies.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Holden, who is a Manchester United fan, said: “He’s the right man for the job, I have no doubt about that now.
“You’ve got to go back to the Brentford game at the start of the season and the fallout from that, and the [Cristiano] Ronaldo situation was a big test for him.
“And then dropping Marcus [Rashford] (against Wolves). There is a connect again with the supporters, and the fans are really on board again now, and I think he’s focused on the working environment at Carrington and the culture at the club.
“And naturally the top players start to buy into it again and they’re in top form.”
When asked whether he can stop Marcus Rashford from scoring in his eighth consecutive game at Old Trafford, Holden replied: “What a player hey!”
Charlton captain George Dobson has also lauded Ten Hag for the job he’s doing at Old Trafford.
Speaking during his press conference, the 25-year-old said: “He’s kicked this Manchester United team on a lot this season.
“[United] have that ruthless nature now. You can see from the start of the season to now the improvements they’ve made – he’s doing a really good job.”