Speculations came through after the lacklustre season for Manchester United, as the club signed new manager Erik Ten Hag. Dutch coach came from Ajax, who returned to Champion League relevancy in the 2018/19 season when they reached the semi-finals.
Erik Ten Hag will replace German manager Ralf Rangnick, who got a four months stint with the Red Devils. Ragnick unsuccessfully tried to implement the high pressure and possession style of football.
Manchester finished the season in sixth place, outside the Champion League zone and far behind Tottenham and Arsenal in fourth and fifth place.
How will Man U play?
While transfer windows are still open, it’s hard to predict how United will look in the new season. However, we know Paul Pogba left the club, and so did Cavani, Mata, Lingard and Matić.
So far the new manager brought Tyrell Malacia, a defender from Feyenoord, and the club has plans to acquire Christian Eriksen from Brentford and Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona. However, while the Eriksen deal has already been reached, there are troubles in bringing a former Ajax star who played for Ten Hag from Blaugrana.
New creative midfielders and defensive backs who know how to play in the “beautiful football” system with a possession style of play and lots of freedom for players might be essential for a manager’s success.
Erik Ten Hag describes his preferred style as proactive, where the team has pronounced togetherness and knows how to act when in possession and when they lose the ball. We recognise the style from Barcelona, Ajax, and now Manchester City as quick on-ball pressure and regaining control.
Will this season’s tickets pay off?
How long will it take for Ten Hag to implement the different playstyle? Most experts think it is a long-term move, and fans can expect a contending team in a few seasons. After that, however, things might click faster because Erik Ten Hag has a meticulous approach to every practice and individual session with players.
If you want to see Man United growing, you can click here to buy Man U tickets for the upcoming Premier League season. Of course, there will be some growing pains, but Ten Hag and the club have optimism for the new season.
The basics of play style start from philosophy, and Ten Hag set his first goal to transfer the philosophy to his players. Then, on offence, players must give each other options and work as a unit off the ball to get it back with pressing style.
Personnel changes
Cristiano Ronaldo was last season’s leading scorer and is currently on the roster. However, that might change before the start of the Premiership. Manchester United is working hard on de Jong’s transfer, but the Dutch midfielder would rather stay in Barcelona. Alternatively, Red Devils are looking for Wolverhampton’s Ruben Neves, a target for other high-profile clubs like Arsenal.
Christian Eriksen will provide a creative spark after his unfortunate heart condition and scary moment on the field two years ago. A revamped starting line-up has the singular task to adopt a new style and try to capture a Champion League spot and preferably attack at least one trophy.
