Erik ten Hag’s decision to surround himself with people he knows at Manchester United has earned him criticism back in the Netherlands.
Journalist Hugo Borst covers the situation today and lays into the Manchester United manager’s transfer and staff hiring policy.
Ten Hag has been busy strengthening his position at Manchester United this summer, particularly when it comes to incomings.
After surrounding himself with familiar faces such as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake in his backroom team, there’s also been reunions in the playing squad.
Players like Mathijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have moved to join their former Ajax manager at Old Trafford, joining the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Antony who have already worked with the Dutchman.
That’s seen plenty of questions raised in England and it seems there’s a similar sentiment about the Manchester United situation in the Netherlands, where Borst has been less than impressed by what he’s seen.
“Erik took a disastrous path two years ago with his know-us policy,” he said.
“Of course it started with Antony. The transfer fee was insanely high. You should never bring players from your old club. Or from the competition you know well. Why would you?
“Anthony. Why? Lisandro Martinez. It could have stayed at that. Ten Hag also had to bring in Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia. André Onana. Wout Weghorst. Untalented, idiots, doping sinners, madmen.
“This summer three more Dutch people came. Ruud van Nistelrooy. (We get that.) René Hake and Jelle ten Rouwelaar. (How small is your world?)
“When Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui also moved from Munich to Manchester United last week, I thought: who are next? Sean Klaiber and Zakaria Labyad? And why, as Weghorst’s successor, not bail out Quincy Promes? With his choices, Erik gives the appearance of being ignorant and suspicious. What a pity he is not a man of the world.”
