What James Garner said about Erik ten Hag at Man United shows Ineos were right to put their faith in him

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag’s job as Manchester United manager was cast into doubt over the summer.

It was an open secret over the summer that Ineos held talks with several managerial candidates as they weighed up the decision to sack Erik ten Hag or not.

There were as many as 17 managers linked with the manager job at Old Trafford, but eventually the new owners put their faith in Ten Hag and offered him a one-year contract extension.

The Dutchman has not had an easy ride as United boss after having to deal with the club’s takeover saga, Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview and a public fallout with Jadon Sancho.

But Ten Hag has stayed put in the managerial hot seat and former United midfielder James Garner‘s comments about what he is like as a manager suggest Ineos made the right decision.

James Garner on ‘strict’ Erik ten Hag management

In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, United have tried almost every type of manager out there. From Jose Mourinho’s blunt yet charismatic style to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s supportive man management, every manager has brought a different approach.

James Garner, who left United to join Everton in a £9m move in 2022, has spoke about his talks with Ten Hag and revealed what he is like as a manager

As quoted by The Mirror, Garner said: “Ten Hag is a very approachable guy but is very strict.

“He takes no one bending the rules. He will say it how it is and will punish people if they have done the wrong things.

“My talk with him was easy. I asked him plain and simple whether I was going to be in the squad or if he saw me playing a part. I felt the conversation did not go as well as I wanted and I made the decision to move.

“I definitely had conversations with him [Ten Hag] but I’d just come off the back of a good season, probably the best season I possibly could have had so I didn’t want to stagnate and sit on the bench week in, week out.”

Erik ten Hag is setting high standards at Man United

Since Ferguson’s departure, there has been plenty of criticism that the standards at Manchester United had dropped.

The Red Devils set out to win every game and every trophy under Ferguson but the lack of success saw standards slip.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag’s 22 Manchester United signings, Ranked

Garner describes Ten Hag as a “strict” manager, but ultimately that is exactly what United need.

Player power had become a problem at United, especially under Ralf Rangnick where it seemed as though players downed tools.

As for Ten Hag, he has handled very tough situations well at United and with a new-look board now behind him we are starting to see signs of progress on the pitch.

As he likes to often remind everyone, he has also won two trophies – and is targeting more silverware this season.

It will take patience to get back to the top, but Ten Hag certainly has the right work ethic, attitude and winning mentality to take United there. Garner’s insight on Ten Hag only strengthens that.