Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag aims to put past uncertainties behind him and focus on a season he describes as “a survival of the fittest”.
The decisive way his team clinched the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley in May likely secured Ten Hag’s position.
The 54-year-old’s contract has been extended through a one-year option, ensuring the former Ajax manager stays at Old Trafford until 2026, following an extensive evaluation by new co-owners Ineos.
Post FA Cup triumph, Ten Hag confidently remarked, “If they don’t want me, I’ll find success somewhere else,” highlighting his strong self-belief.
Eager to move past the uncertainty, Ten Hag begins a pre-season tour alongside new chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
“Winning trophies has defined my career,” Ten Hag noted. “I believe in my capabilities. The wait was long, but we finally reaped the rewards.”
“We are embarking on a new season, leaving past troubles behind as we look ahead. This is an exciting project that will bring its challenges, but we are currently filled with energy, positive dynamics, and a strong team spirit. Our goal is to work hard and achieve victories.”
Last season was tough for United due to a slew of injuries, particularly on defense, where they were missing six players at various times.
Ten Hag has started addressing these challenges both on and off the pitch.
The club has invested nearly £90m in French defender Leny Yoro and Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee. Additionally, they’ve recruited two highly regarded professionals from Arsenal’s staff: Gary O’Driscoll as head of sports medicine and Jordan Reece as head physiotherapist.
“This season, even more than before, is poised to be the survival of the fittest,” Ten Hag stated, as his team prepares to face Arsenal in a pre-season clash on Saturday.
“The physical demands on the players are incredibly high. We’re not alone in dealing with injuries, though we were unlucky with our back four towards the end of last season, costing us valuable points. The pressure is immense due to the new structures in European football.”
Thanks to United’s FA Cup final victory, they have secured a spot in the Europa League, which, similar to the Champions League, will involve eight group stage matches instead of the usual six.
Ten Hag remains on the lookout for new players, particularly focusing on the full-back and central defender positions.
At the same time, he understands the need to extract more performance from the existing squad, especially from England internationals Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount.
Rashford’s performance dipped last season, plummeting from a career-best 30 goals in the 2022-23 season to only eight.
Mount, on the other hand, saw limited action with just five Premier League starts after his £55m transfer from Chelsea last summer, making only a solitary substitute appearance against City at Wembley.
“Rashford has scored many goals at a young age,” Ten Hag commented. “He possesses the capability to replicate that success. I am confident and hold complete faith in his potential to perform like he did two years ago.”
“As for Mason, I won’t judge him, as he dealt with injuries, but when fit, he is an exceptional player. It’s essential to have diverse skill sets within a squad. He can adapt to various positions and I believe he will be instrumental for the team.”
Just moments before Ten Hag’s initial press conference at the UCLA complex in Los Angeles, United announced the addition of former Lillestrom and Malmo manager Andreas Georgson to their coaching staff.
The 42-year-old previously held roles in England at Brentford, Arsenal, and Southampton, joining former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and ex-Go Ahead Eagles coach Rene Hake in a revamped coaching team.
“We conducted a thorough review of our staff and outlined the profiles we wanted to fill,” Ten Hag explained. “He will focus on aspects such as individual player development, cultivating a winning culture, and set-piece strategies.”
Meanwhile, Genoa is considering a move for former United goalkeeper David de Gea.
The 33-year-old Spaniard has been without a club for more than a year following his departure from Old Trafford.
