It is a totally different supervisor however Manchester United as soon as once more discover themselves ready much like earlier seasons. Since Erik ten Hag’s appointment as supervisor in April 2022, it has been a topsy-turvy highway for the English giants. The narrative appeared comparable as United discovered themselves caught at fifth place within the Premier League desk earlier than the Premier League resumed earlier than the aspect registered successive wins to go fourth within the league on Saturday.
Some followers and former gamers have already joined the bandwagon to criticise the 52-year-old however veteran goalkeeper David de Gea rushed to his gaffer’s defence and backed United to do effectively because the season resumed on December 26. The Spaniard was in Goa with Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek to launch the third version of United We Play Programme, an on-ground grassroots soccer initiative, supported by Manchester United and Apollo Tyres.
De Gea defined that the workforce took time to regulate to the brand new season because of the arrival of a brand new supervisor and new gamers. They started their Premier League season with a 1-2 house defeat towards Brighton, adopted by a 0-4 away thrashing by Brentford as Ten Hag turned the primary Manchester United supervisor since John Chapman in 1921 to lose his first two video games in cost. After the opening two defeats, United bounced again to profitable methods with an inspiring 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool.
“At the start of the season it was a bit powerful. After that we began taking part in actually good soccer, profitable video games. We had a brand new supervisor, new gamers, so we want a little bit of time to understand how that the supervisor needs us to play so it takes a little bit of time, however I feel we’re on the suitable path and we’re profitable video games and taking part in rather well”, mentioned De Gea.
Having joined the membership in 2011, De Gea provided an perception into Ten Hag’s techniques and opined that there was a paradigm shift from their taking part in type of earlier seasons. Since Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, United have didn’t win a single Premier League trophy and managers like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal resorted to a extra pragmatic strategy. “I feel this 12 months we need to dictate video games and need to have the ball. Attempt to play from the again and we’re urgent groups, urgent excessive within the opponent’s half and making an attempt to maintain the ball within the opponents’ half, making an attempt to attain objectives and profitable video games”, he mentioned.
In the meantime, younger Swedish winger Elanga may solely lavish praises on Ten Hag, whereas stressing on his high quality ‘as an individual’. Elanga, 20, made his debut in 2021 and has already grow to be an integral a part of Ten Hag’s plans. “It has been good. He is aware of what he is doing. As a supervisor, you’ll be able to see knowledge and you may see the standard he has, not simply as a supervisor however as an individual as effectively. He needs to get to know you as an individual after which that may assistance on the pitch”, he mentioned.
United have certainly one of their largest fan-bases in India, with the English aspect even posting social media standing in Hindi. Labelling the Indian followers as ‘loopy’, De Gea thanked them for his or her help. “It has been nice. I feel the love of the followers is loopy. It is unbelievable how they help us and help the membership. So sure, I need to say thanks to everybody right here in India and it has been a pleasure to be right here and hopefully we will come right here extra occasions”, he acknowledged.
Ten Hag’s aspect resumed its Premier League marketing campaign on December 28 towards Nottingham Forest at Outdated Trafford, and can now be aiming to construct momentum for Champions League qualification.