I have been a Manchester United fan for a long time and with this comes a lot of good and bad. In recent years, more bad than good. Speaking of club manager Erik Ten Hag, a win away from one perfect debut season, to now becoming the subject of public speculation, of whether he should return as head coach next year. Manchester United is a club of inconsistencies.
But in the midst of fan debate, team performances, and tactics, one thing stands out to me, undeniably, Erik Ten Hag wants to turn potential into talent. In this article, I will outline the development of some young players under ETH's time at the wheel, and how he has turned them into rising stars.
His resume speaks for itself, before getting appointed Manager of Manchester United in 2022, he boasted a 13-year playing career himself, retiring at age 32. In his first ever gig as manager for Go Ahead Eagles in 2012, Erik led the team to their first ever promotion in 17 years during his only season at the club.
To then go on with Bayern Munich where he learned from one of the greatest managers of our generation in Pep Guardiola. Progressing on to Ajax, Erik won 3 Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups, and turned them into a feared team - at the highest level of European football he developed young elite players the likes of Frenkie De jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Julian Alvarelez - he turned them into world class players. So it's no wonder.
The Juniors
Manchester’s number 11, Rasmus Holjund not only displays great skill as a center-forward, he also shows it when it matters the most. Erik shocked fans when he opted to spend £72 million on a 19- year-old instead of a bona fide superstar in Harry Kane.
He gave the keys to a young man who has since then continually improved. Rasmus had been the joint Champions League scorer, and was on a 10-game winning streak, Itsa safe to say, Erik saw the potential that £72 million would buy the club. Under Erik's regime, we are watching this young player become a great player and hopefully a vital member of a winning team. Say for some horrendous goalkeeping mistakes throughout the Champions league, Rasmus almost leveraged Man U into the knockout stages, with a tremendous solo goal from the halfway line against Galatasaray. As the season progresses it seems he is only getting better showcasing his ability to score stunners on his weak foot and develop attacks through his link-up play.
For the last 3 years the consensus has been - we need a central midfielder who can consistently control the game. Many of us thought that player would be Casemiro or even Sofyan Amrabat, who was left out with an option to buy him over at the end of this season. But Erik had other plans.
Number 37, Kobbie Maino, an 18-year-old graduate from the Manchester United Youth System, was the answer. Slowly easing him into the team, starting in the advanced mid-field position, to a 3-0 win. Since, Kobbie has been given multiple opportunities and has constantly impressed. One could argue he is our most composed midfielder, always providing an element of control every time he touches the ball. Kobbie is a serious talent well beyond his age and if he possesses this much ability and poise at age 18 what will he look like in 5 years..?
Number 17, Alexandro Gaurnacho is the prospect who made his debut under Erik.
He comes out with no fear, running and taking on defenders, putting pressure on anyone who matches up against him. Since his debut, he has slowly developed into a core team member and is gradually becoming more than just an aggressive winger.
He does something that United so desperately needs during this inverted playmaker era. With Antony and Sancho playing in wider positions on the wing, Alexandro is a burst of sunshine. With time under Erik, he is beginning to not just look to attack and score but also to create opportunities, especially when playing on the right wing. With a career-high assist halfway through his season and incremental improvements to come, Alexandro is yet another stealthy investment in the Club's future.
The Seniors
Number 39, Scott Mctominay. His best attributes are his defensive positioning and physicality, but you should never count on his passing skills, they border on useless.
Once again we count on Erik’s regime to maximize Scott’s natural attributes, by placing him next to a playmaking specialist like Eriksen.
Scott is now being used as an offensive weapon. From ball striking, posing an aerial threat, to scoring and winning games off the bench, as a former striker, it shouldn't have come as a shock. But Scott had been the scapegoat for so long; nevertheless, it's hard to deny he is now a valuable asset.
Number 20, Diego Dalot has a 'shall not pass' presence on the pitch. His opponents will either get bruised or tackled, and I personally love it. Par Jose Mourinho claims Diego is very similar to Gary Neville in playstyle. This is high praise enough.
When put in those inverted full-back positions that Erik favors, Diego thrives all the more, helping the ball progress and providing quality performance in wide Areas - he is also becoming a long distance goal threat.
Number 10, Marcus Rashford has had both good and bad forms - being the greatest 'confidence player' I've seen with my own eyes. His first season with Erik was undoubtedly a season to remember, playing in an unfavorable striker position.
Nevertheless, his output was absolutely insane.
I still believe we are yet to see Erik get the best out of Marcus, but with Marcus' constant hot and cold stretches, I am beginning to believe the only person who can really unlock Marcus Rashford is Marcus Rashford.
What does this mean for the future..?
Erik Ten Hag has not had the best season, and there are big question marks about whether he will be here this time next year. However, one thing I've really enjoyed is the fact that young, home-grown talent have a place in this club.
Could Erik’s focus on youth and drawing in player investment in the Manchester United Academy signal a cultural shift for the club, marking the beginning of a new era..?
Published: 06/03/2024
Written by Toni Odugbesan
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