Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has given his verdict on Erik ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford.
The pressure is beginning to build on Erik ten Hag following Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Despite the German side winning the game by a single goal, it was a comfortable night for Thomas Tuchel’s men who dealt with United’s attacks with minimal fuss.
It’s the club’s second defeat in four days following United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth and the pressure is beginning to build on the former Ajax boss.
Stam on Ten Hag
Well, speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, former United defender Jaap Stam gave his verdict on the under-pressure 53-year-old.
“I think, in the first season, he did really well,” the Dutchman said. “In terms of getting a trophy, an FA Cup final and Champions League football. But not about his way of playing, it was more transition football and not how we know Ten Hag wants to play.
“In the second season, we’ve wanted to see more of his style of play but we haven’t. That’s the difficult one (why there hasn’t been a style of play). I think he’s a good coach and we did ask a few months ago when would we see his style of play and he said he could never play the same way as he did at Ajax over here.
“He’s invested a lot of money in players but are they the right signings for the club, I’m not so sure.”
Stam is right
There has been a lot of criticism for the Dutchman this season, particularly with the perceived lack of style being evident throughout.
United, incredibly, have now lost 50% of the games they have played this season which really is a sackable offence.
So many decisions have gone wrong this season and it looks like Ten Hag is currently playing in survival mode trying to keep his job.
He has not brought his exciting and controlling style of play to Old Trafford and you wonder if time is beginning to run out on the 53-year-old’s United tenure.
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