Pundit suggests one United coach in particular could be influencing Erik ten Hag’s style of play

Add as preferred source on Google

Jamie Carragher has suggested that one man at Manchester United might have influenced Erik ten Hag’s style of play at the club.

Erik ten Hag has been under a mountain of pressure this season from the media and indeed the Manchester United fanbase this season with the Red Devils languishing outside of the top four in the Premier League.

Champions League football was a minimum for the Red Devils this season but, at this moment in time, they look unlikely to break into those crucial European places and the manager’s future is surely up in the air.

The consistent criticism for the Red Devils manager has been that United just does not have a recognisable style of play compared to the rest of the league’s top sides and it’s hard to disagree with these claims.

Carragher on McClaren influence

Jamie Carragher, speaking on the latest Stick To Football episode, has suggested that one of United’s coaches Steve McClaren could well be influencing the Dutchman’s thinking in terms of his play style.

“Last season, they did well in the league. Won a Cup, got to the FA Cup Final and did well in Europe,” Carragher said. “I don’t know whether Steve McClaren has got in Ten Hag’s ear about ‘oh, this is the right way for United to play’ because he was there when Sir Alex was manager.

“The style of play is confusing. Last season was counter-attacking, fast and exciting and it seems they don’t want to change that.”

It does seem rather strange that the football that Ten Hag played at Ajax, which was one of the principal reasons behind his appointment at Old Trafford has not been seen.

United’s counter-attacking style

It seems that ever since United lost 4-0 to Brentford in Ten Hag’s second game for the club he has changed his style somewhat.

During that game in London, the midfielder was dropping deep to pick the ball up and David De Gea was never seen going long for the Red Devils.

Andre Onana, who can play that style of play, has played the ball long on multiple occasions and you do wonder if McClaren, who was formerly assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, has suggested the counter-attacking style because it is the ‘United way’.