Manchester United officially have the man who will lead the club into the first proper season under Ineos’ ownership after Erik ten Hag’s contract extension.
Erik ten Hag’s contract extension is a huge statement of trust and intent in the manager who has shown excellent signs of progress by winning trophies but led the club to their worst-ever Premier League finish last season.
Now that the pen has been put to paper, both parties will be keen to put a hectic period of speculation behind and plan for a successful future.
Here are the top three things Ten Hag needs to do on priority now that his own future is sorted…
Adhere to a proactive style of play and philosophy
4-2-2-2, 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3? The way United played in the second season was in such stark contrast to their displays in the first season that one could be forgiven for thinking that a different man was in the dugout.
Being pragmatic and being able to change things to suit the opposition/players available is a skill, but doing a 180-degree turn on the whole philosophy was jarring last season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already said that going forward, a style of play will be decided by the team over the manager and the manager will have to implement it.
So far, United have been a team that has looked confused over whether it wants to play proactive, pressing football or powerful, transition football.
One would presume that this is the matter which would have come up first when both parties were negotiating the extension so some clarity is expected, and much needed.
Become the giants instead of giant-killers
United have managed to win two trophies in two season and that is one of the biggest wins for Ten Hag (another come coming later down). However, their form is woeful against top teams, especially away from home.
United fans have come to accept that they should expect the worst when their team travels to dens of Manchester City, Arsenal, or Liverpool.
To take the next step, these are the game that United should be at least going toe-to-toe in, if not winning outright. A United win away at Liverpool shouldn’t be celebrated as a giant-killing of epic proportions. The standards have well and truly fallen and with the trust Ineos have shown in Ten Hag, he needs to replicate it by taking that next step in evolution.
United have turned from giants to giant-killers on the odd occasion. It needs to reverse, starting with away games at top teams.
Keep the trust in youth
What Ten Hag needs to do is as much about continuing what he’s done well as it is about what he needs to start doing, which are the two points above.
His development of players coming through the academy is arguably the biggest factor that has worked in his favour at Old Trafford.
Youth academy’s success rate has been unbelievable, as getting a bonafide first-team player from the academy each season (Garnacho followed by Mainoo) is a remarkable feat.
Add to that the development of Willy Kambwala, who has shown glimpses of being able to play for United, and other youngsters who have been challenged to train with the first team consistently, and Ten Hag looks like a man with a plan.
Pre-season has become a must-watch for United fans because they know Ten Hag has already identified some potential superstars from the group and it is clear from the outset.
That needs to continue as more than buying players, a single youth academy introduction saves the club millions in the market.
Besides these three, there are other, obvious ones, like looking into the injury situation/ his handling of it, as well as disciplinary issues and how he deal with them. However, if the three things above are accomplished, it can be expected that other issues around them will take care of themselves. Over to you, Erik.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
