Last Updated: February 27, 2023, 08:19 IST
Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag (AP)
Erik ten Hag clinched the League Cup, his first trophy as Manchester United supervisor
As Erik ten Hag danced a jubilant jig on the Wembley pitch after Manchester United’s League Cup ultimate victory over Newcastle, it was clear the supervisor’s romantic concepts concerning the membership had blossomed right into a full-blown love affair.
Ten Hag has made a exceptional impression since leaving Ajax to take cost of United final 12 months and Sunday’s 2-0 win towards Newcastle was the most recent signal the membership are again on monitor after a turbulent decade.
Casemiro’s header and an personal objective from Sven Botman sealed United’s first main trophy since 2017, once they gained the Europa League and League Cup beneath Jose Mourinho.
But the trophy was solely secured after preserving Newcastle at bay with a gritty second half show that underlined how a lot distinction Ten Hag has made.
Less than a 12 months in the past, United slumped to a sixth place end within the Premier League beneath interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Revived by the demanding and disciplined Ten Hag, United have set the stage for a possible return to the type of sustained success final seen within the Alex Ferguson period.
While Ten Hag guidelines with an iron fist, as he confirmed in successful the ability wrestle that pressured Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure final 12 months, the Dutchman has an empathetic facet that he not often reveals in public.
That emotion was on show when he joined the celebrations at Wembley, linking arms in a joyous dance with Lisandro Martinez and Antony, the United gamers who know him higher than most after their time at Ajax.
“We have a historical past, the 2 gamers and me in Amsterdam. We did some dancing and I hope we are able to do extra sooner or later,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag has no intention of letting United’s players rest on their laurels as he looks to recreate the club’s dynastic years under Ferguson.
“We have to invest and suffer every day so we can win trophies,” Ten Hag mentioned.
“It is about glory and honour. If you need to win one thing you could have to do it as a result of no-one goes to convey you silverware in prime soccer.”
‘Make our own history’
When he left the comfort of his role at Ajax last May, Ten Hag knew the challenge of leading United out of their slump was fraught with potential pitfalls.
But the chance to manage one of the world’s most iconic clubs was too good to turn down for a football romantic like Ten Hag.
“Maybe it was a risk but I am a little bit stubborn. I just loved United. When I see the shirt, when I see the fans at Old Trafford, the legacy from Sir Alex with players known around the world,” he mentioned.
“We need to do the identical. This staff needs to make its personal historical past, its personal legacy. When the chance got here I believed that is the suitable alternative for me. I wished to be a part of it.”
Ten Hag’s approval rating among United fans was clear to see by the huge cheer that greeted him lifting the League Cup, while Ferguson also gave his blessing to the Dutchman when they met for dinner last week.
“The dinner shows we are good and it shows he is really involved in the club. We can all learn a lot from what he did for Manchester United. It is an inspiration for all of us,” Ten Hag mentioned.
“Of course it’s an honour to share my ideas with him, to discuss the way you lead a dressing room and the methods. He is a cheerful man tonight.”
Ten Hag’s only misstep all afternoon came at the end of his post-match press conference when he almost forgot to take the League Cup trophy with him after bringing it to show the media.
Even then, Ten Hag kept his cool with a wry grin as he joked: “It’s only one cup”.
United followers will hope there are numerous extra trophies to come thanks to their quiet revolutionary.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
