Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter for free and receive it directly in your inbox.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter of Miguel Delaney for free.
Erik ten Hag believes that Manchester United will only achieve success with ambitious players, as shown by their decision to let Jadon Sancho go just over a year after Cristiano Ronaldo’s notable departure.
The Dutch manager was hired 19 months ago to make adjustments both on and off the field at Old Trafford. During his time there, he has faced numerous distractions.
Ronaldo’s second stint at United came to a bitter end in November 2022, and another high-profile player has departed during Ten Hag’s season as manager of the Premier League powerhouse.
Sancho was excluded from the starting lineup in September after stating on social media that he was being unfairly blamed for his exclusion from the matchday squad by the Dutch manager, who cited his training performance as the reason.
This week, the 23-year-old player returned to his former team Borussia Dortmund on a loan deal for the remainder of the season. While the manager of Manchester United wished the winger success, he also emphasized the importance of having the right mindset at the club.
According to Ten Hag, having players who are hungry is crucial for performing well.
I have previously mentioned the importance of having individuals who are driven and determined to represent our team and give it their all. We need players who will fight for the club and work together as a cohesive unit.
Ten Hag’s strategy places a strong emphasis on discipline, which was supported by the Glazers during the Ronaldo situation. Additionally, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new minority owner, has not opposed Sancho’s departure.
The Dutchman stated that it is not a matter of discipline, but rather of typical behavior. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the standards expected from a top professional.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, values the importance of addressing hunger.
The United team is getting ready for their upcoming game against Tottenham at home on Sunday, which is their only Premier League game for this month.
The Red Devils are in need of a victory as they have suffered nine defeats in their 20 games in the highest division due to injuries. This has led to increased pressure on Ten Hag due to the team’s results and performances.
However, the manager of United has faith in a method that he thinks will get better as players who were missing, such as Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, come back.
When asked if it is challenging for him to handle things, Ten Hag replied that it is not a problem for him.
”
“I anticipated the possibility of a negative outcome at the beginning of the season when this occurred, so as a manager, it was important to maintain a positive attitude and steer the process towards a successful direction.”
”
“Meanwhile, it is important to be practical and aim for as many points as possible, while also waiting for the players to recover.”
While waiting, focus on improving your team and the individuals within it. Strive to elevate their abilities and set conditions for the team to perform at a higher level. This will ultimately lead to improved results.
Source: independent.co.uk
