Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag gave an in-depth interview to The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell. Ten Hag discussed several controversial decisions during his later tenure at Manchester United, including playing Mazraoui as a number 10, his tactical setup in the FA Cup final, and Antony's high transfer fee. He also responded to criticism from Manchester United legends and revealed that Sancho's unwillingness to play on the right wing was a significant factor behind the club signing Antony. This is the second part of the interview.
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However, Manchester United continued to be plagued by injuries during the 2023-24 season, which significantly affected the team's performance.
Ten Hag used 13 different center-back pairings and changed the four-man defense 29 times.
Ten Hag: "Therefore, it was almost impossible to build chemistry and understanding between the players. But I know that in top-level football, results ultimately determine everything."
"The expectations at Manchester United are very high; everyone expects the team to win the league title every year. But to be fair, Manchester United at that time, and even two years later, did not have the ability to win the Premier League."
"If we could have continued building the team in the original direction, we would have had a chance to win the title. But at that stage, we were not stable enough, and the squad was not strong enough to support winning the title."
In October 2024, Manchester United's hierarchy decided that Ten Hag was no longer the right manager to lead the team back into title contention.
In fact, five months earlier, around the time Manchester United beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup, Ten Hag's position was already being openly questioned, and his departure seemed inevitable.
However, Ten Hag insisted that his decision to play Mazraoui as a number 10 in his penultimate match as Manchester United manager, away at Fenerbahce, was not a desperate gamble due to his precarious position, but rather a tactical surprise he believed would catch opponents off guard.
Ten Hag said with a smile: "Not everything leaks from Carrington. That's my style. I also surprised opponents in the FA Cup final, and many times, my decisions have been correct."
"Playing Mazraoui in that position wasn't a risk... but sometimes, I should think more from the perspective of the fans or media and realize they might find this arrangement unusual. But for me, it made perfect sense."
In the FA Cup final against Manchester City, Ten Hag started the on-loan Amrabat instead of Casemiro to improve midfield control.
Manchester United subsequently signed Ugarte that summer, but Ten Hag believed the team could have retained McTominay and avoided spending on Amrabat.
Ten Hag: "I wanted to keep Amrabat, but they didn't want to. I think he performed very well at Manchester United."
Ten Hag's lineup in Istanbul and many other decisions during his tenure were scrutinized and criticized by football pundits.
When asked about the impact of numerous former Manchester United players now working as commentators, Ten Hag remained composed.
Manchester United legends such as Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt frequently comment through their own programs and mainstream media, sometimes with sharp criticism.
Ten Hag: "It's the same everywhere; they always want to maintain the legendary status they left behind. It's the same at Bayern Munich or Ajax; they do the same."
"But they are part of Manchester United's history, and they don't always know what's happening inside the club. Football is constantly evolving."
"For Manchester United, it's clear: they made huge contributions to the club, achieved brilliant results, and won many trophies, so I respect them."
"I have to say, I have a very good relationship with all of them, including Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand. I had very pleasant interviews with both of them, so the criticism didn't bother me."
"Of course, they have their own podcasts and their own platforms. Sometimes, it's really difficult for the players. Some players are affected by these comments and get frustrated."
"They achieved great success, but they could also help the club more by supporting the players. They should provide support in both ways."
"However, I believe that the more you love something, the more you will criticize it."
Perhaps that's why Ten Hag was always very demanding with his players at Manchester United, even those he personally brought in.
Antony's transfer to Manchester United for approximately €100 million became one of the most frequently cited examples when criticizing Ten Hag.
The winger, who had been coached by Ten Hag at Ajax, arrived at Old Trafford for one of Manchester United's highest transfer fees ever, but his actual impact has been limited, and he has also faced some off-field issues.
Ten Hag acknowledged Antony's ability as a player but criticized his positioning after just two matches.
Antony's high price tag also influenced public perception of him.
In Ten Hag's first summer at Manchester United, due to Sancho's unexpected stance, the team urgently needed a right winger as the transfer window neared its close.
Ten Hag: "There was a problem at the time because Sancho didn't want to play on the right; he made that very clear."
"It was very strange because he used to play on the right regularly. He said he felt more comfortable on the left. So we had a problem, and time was already running out."
Antony was also recommended by Manchester United's scouting department, and the club ultimately signed him as a right winger on transfer deadline day.
Ajax took advantage of Manchester United's situation, successfully securing a transfer fee far above his reasonable market value.
However, Ten Hag denied that he would show favoritism in player selection based on a player's background.
Ten Hag: "I will make judgments based on a player's performance, technical ability, and what the game requires."
"I won't be swayed by emotion, whether I like or dislike a player, or because I coached him before, or because I signed him, or the club signed him. I won't make different decisions."
"I believe I handle these things in a very professional manner."
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