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Outdated Trafford was a cauldron of boos yesterday after Manchester United fell to a limp defeat in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
Erik ten Hag is lastly feeling the strain resulting from some complicated tactical selections, workforce picks, and a basic lack of attacking identification.
His feedback are below extra scrutiny than ever earlier than in his tenure and in such a time, he has made a very baffling assertion.
Talking after the Manchester Derby loss, the Dutchman was requested concerning the stark distinction within the fashion of play of this present United aspect and his memorable Ajax aspect.
When requested if he would be capable to replicate that fashion of soccer at Outdated Trafford, Ten Hag made a stunning admission, one which United followers can be furious to listen to.
“By no means. We are going to by no means play that soccer. As a result of these had been completely different gamers. That is additionally not why I got here right here.
“We’re enjoying completely different soccer than I confirmed at Ajax as a result of I’ve to as a result of I can’t play the identical method,” he stated.
It will come as a hammer blow to followers who had been hoping to see the identical dominating, possession-based soccer which made the Dutch workforce darlings of the footballing world below Ten Hag.
The supervisor then went on to match the contrasting identities of the 2 groups, defending his assertion.
“The gamers resolve the way you play. Ajax has a really typical and attribute fashion of play, with Manchester United I’ll at all times present completely different soccer, I did so final 12 months as properly.
“We play way more direct soccer right here as a result of I’ve the gamers for that right here,” he completed.
It may be learn as a damning indictment of United gamers’ technical qualities if they’re deemed to be adequate to play solely direct soccer.
Moreover, it additionally raises questions on Ten Hag’s recruitment coverage since he has now signed greater than 10 gamers throughout his time right here and they need to ideally have been in step with Ten Hag’s philosophy.
Nonetheless, because it stands, it isn’t even clear what the supervisor’s philosophy is, not to mention shopping for gamers that match into it.
