Erik ten Hag could win trophies with Manchester United this season after earning the respect of his squad at Old Trafford.
That’s according to journalist Aad de Mos, who has hailed the Dutchman and the manner in which he has turned things around quickly this season.
Ten Hag arrived at Manchester United this summer as the long-term replacement for Old Gunnar Solskjaer and was tasked with righting the ship following the miserable end to last season under Ralf Rangnick.
The squad have undergone an overhaul under his guidance, but things did not get off to a good start, with a 2-1 defeat to Brighton on the opening day and a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brentford the week after.
That game saw Manchester United completely outrun, with Ten Hag forcing his players to run the 13km difference in training the following week.
He took part in that session himself and it appears to have had a positive effect, with United since beating Liverpool 2-1, Southampton and Leicester 1-0 and Arsenal 3-1.
The situation at the club suddenly looks much rosier than it once did, and De Mos is impressed by what he has seen.
“After the two defeats he sent them into the forest the old-fashioned way, made them walk thirteen kilometres. You can only do that once and then you have to win your next game, of course. That’s what he did, against Liverpool.
“By sacrificing the two stars, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo. So far, neither of them are playing and he has four victories, so everything he touches turns into gold in England.
“And everyone is happy with that, I think. And I think Ten Hag can win a trophy with United this season.
“And the Europa League is also possible, isn’t it? They have a fairly broad squad, and everyone knows that the team is above everyone else at the moment, even Erik ten Hag, because he himself took part in the forest run, which was a very good move.
“In that way he has become a member of the team. Most trainers keep on watching or drive behind them in the car, but he walked with them and that way he scored points.
“Ten Hag is a very innovative trainer, very modern, just like Alfred Schreuder he picked up many things from Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. He tested those methods at Ajax, and if it works at Ajax, it should also work at United.”
