Erik ten Hag sports a white baseball cap along with a red and blue club tracksuit while engaging in conversation in a private room at UCLA. His consistent eye contact and poise under inquiry bode well for Manchester United’s impending season.
Since his appointment as manager two years ago, the Dutchman has consistently showcased a calm demeanor. However, following the various trials resulting from Ineos’s evaluation of potential successors, he now exhibits a newfound confidence. After Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s football department concluded that Ten Hag remained their preferred choice, a fresh two-year contract was negotiated. Yet, the short duration offered hardly conveys unwavering support.
“No, I wanted this,” the 54-year-old responds. “Two years in football is already quite significant, and after two years, we will assess what we have built on top of our current achievements.”
When it’s suggested that a four-year contract would bring more financial stability, Ten Hag smiles. “No, I don’t require that. I don’t seek that security,” he asserts. “What’s crucial is that we are united in our efforts and working cohesively. Together, we will experience both the highs and lows. When external questioning arises about my support, it inevitably affects the team and is detrimental to our success. I don’t need this, as I possess enough security in my life and career, along with the belief that with the right team, we will find success.”
Ratcliffe has appointed Omar Berrada as chief executive, Dan Ashworth as sporting director, and Jason Wilcox as technical director, with Sir Dave Brailsford overseeing operations. As Berrada and Ashworth had not yet come on board, Wilcox led the initiative to evaluate possible replacements for Ten Hag.
Ten Hag offers a clever response when asked about his feelings upon hearing that Thomas Tuchel, Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank, and others were contemplated.
“I wish to collaborate,” he remarks. “Unity is vital because I know that together we can achieve greater success, and I am here to win. It’s all about feeling that enthusiasm together; that will lead us to victory. We have talented individuals. With highly skilled people on board, they will enhance our chances of success. I prefer not to dwell on negativity. So in regard to your question, I focus on the positives rather than what could be.”
Erik ten Hag believes his squad is ‘capable of competing with the best teams in England’ but they must demonstrate this consistently. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images
“I am optimistic and feel very aligned. Those around me are on the same path, and as I mentioned, we must affirm this point throughout the upcoming season and the years to come: showcasing our strength.”
Is he confident the club’s support will endure through any challenging times? “I sense that we’ve built something substantial, and the people surrounding me share that vision. Yet, it’s always put to the test in trying times – but I genuinely hope we can sidestep any downturns.”
United’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May played a significant role in ensuring Ten Hag’s continuance. After securing the Carabao Cup the previous year, this marked the second trophy in two seasons, leading Ten Hag to provide a hopeful overview of his team’s standing against rivals like Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and the reigning champions.
“We have made significant strides and are equipped to contend with the top teams in England,” he states. “The next step is to adjust our focus toward the best teams worldwide, such as Real Madrid. Still, the Premier League is exceedingly competitive, and we have the capability to challenge them, which is encouraging. Our challenge lies in maintaining this level consistently. How we achieve that largely depends on cultivating a winning culture and building upon the foundation we have established with our new leadership group, coaching staff, and incoming players.”
To recover from last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, someone like Marcus Rashford must regain his form after contributing merely eight goals in all competitions as the club’s highest earner. Ten Hag aligns with this notion while also supporting the player.
Marcus Rashford leads a Manchester United training session in California. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images
“Certainly, but he must make his case,” the manager states. “We will create the conditions for him [to thrive] and he is capable of delivering. The previous season he scored 30 times, demonstrating his tremendous potential. If he arrives at the right mindset, he can easily score 30 or more goals again.”
When challenged about the “vibe” aspect, Ten Hag is asked whether it’s Rashford’s responsibility to always maintain the right “mood.” He replies: “He should strive to be there, but we aren’t machines. We are dealing with people. And not everyone – you included – is consistently at their peak performance.”
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Following their discussions, Ten Hag and his team journeyed to South Carolina to face Liverpool in their final match of the US tour. In the opening match, a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, Leny Yoro, a new £52m signing, suffered a foot injury, ruling him out for three months, while Rasmus Højlund, the primary No 9, encountered a hamstring injury that sidelines him for six weeks. Rashford also limped off during Wednesday’s 3-2 victory against Real Betis, although Ten Hag remarked that the injury is “not too bad” and anticipates that the forward will “recover quickly from this setback.”
After last season experienced 66 injuries, the setbacks for Yoro and Højlund are particularly impactful, but Ten Hag, who believes Tyrell Malacia might return in two months, shrugs off inquiries regarding their significance. “I anticipated this question,” he remarks. “However, such occurrences are intrinsic to football – particularly at the highest levels; every player must push themselves to the limit, and unfortunately, injuries are sometimes inevitable. As a club and team, we must be prepared to adapt, and the players are responding well to these challenges. They are remaining positive and are already on their path to recovery.”
With the summer’s strict buy-to-sell policy, no substitutions will be made. “No,” Ten Hag confirms. “This will not alter our approach. We have a strategy in place and intend to adhere to it while executing our plans as envisioned.”
United’s other acquisition is Joshua Zirkzee, purchased for £35.3m from Bologna. As a centre-forward, he is poised to fill in for Højlund during the upcoming Community Shield against City. Ten Hag states, “Next week, we will assess where we stand. Joshua participated in the Euros [with the Netherlands], took a break afterward, and just resumed training this week, so we will evaluate his readiness and assemble a team capable of triumphing against Manchester City.”
Erik ten Hag with the FA Cup in May. He returns to Wembley for the Community Shield next Saturday. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer
Casemiro, whose wage is only slightly less than Rashford’s estimated £365,000 per week, is a player United may sell if the right proposal materializes. Ten Hag chose to bench the defensive midfielder during the FA Cup final win. “Choices must be made based on what’s needed for specific matches,” he states. “Nonetheless, he is an essential player. He provides leadership and can significantly impact our team. No player can participate in every match; it’s an impossibility.”
In discussing Casemiro’s future, Ten Hag notes: “All players wishing to contribute to our team and those willing to embrace the bench must continue offering their quality. Casemiro’s illustrious career reflects his success.”
For United to rebuild, patience is crucial from Ratcliffe and his Ineos associates, especially considering Højlund and his promising colleagues Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Yoro form a young core.
Ten Hag concludes: “They are quintessential Manchester United players. They possess an X-factor, albeit youthful. They have already tasted the experience of winning a trophy, and now we must enhance that, but transition with young players inevitably involves fluctuations, and we must acknowledge that.”
“Internally within the club, and externally to you [the media], everyone must understand this. They will experience setbacks, and the true test is whether they have the character to recover.” Last season, Ten Hag exemplified this resilience, serving as both a guide and an inspiration.
