The popularity of Ruben Amorim among pundits appears to be waning after a recent string of underwhelming performances. However, a return to Erik Ten Hag’s reign is not widely discussed.
Ten Hag arrived at Manchester United with a reputation built on his time with Ajax, promising an exciting new era. Yet, his tenure ended in frustration and disappointment at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has brought a fresh perspective with his communication and charisma, traits that Ten Hag often lacked.
Even Ten Hag’s tactical prowess has come under scrutiny, with a player who benefited during his time at United speaking out against the managerial style.
Raphael Varane’s Criticism of Erik Ten Hag
During Erik Ten Hag’s tenure, the standout partnership was between centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Together, they formed the backbone of the team that won two major cups.
However, the relationship between Varane and Ten Hag soured significantly. Varane was dropped from the squad for “tactical reasons,” despite being fit at the time.
Varane’s fitness issues added to the tension, yet he believed their success came despite the relationship rather than because of it.
In an interview with The Athletic, Varane criticized Ten Hag’s coaching style as “rigid,” allowing “very little flexibility.” He said, “It was the opposite [of Real Madrid] with fairly rigid patterns of play defined in advance. There was very little flexibility in terms of adapting on the pitch. The game plans were very, very precise, with lots and lots of information. It was different.”
Varane further explained, “We could say to each other, ‘You have to do it more like this’ [in Real Madrid and for France], instead of a system that was, let’s say, a bit blocked by the coach’s instructions.”
The Curious Case of Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United
Ten Hag was known for his tactical acumen, and fans eagerly awaited his unique identity and philosophy. The first season provided glimpses of this, but subsequently, their play defied expectations.
The main criticism during his tenure was the “lack of playing style.” Varane’s assertion of rigid play contradicts fan perceptions, which suggested more of a chaotic approach rather than rigid tactics.
Louis van Gaal’s rigid style was different—it was boring but consistent. Ten Hag’s approach seemed to lack clarity instead of structure.
Varane’s comments raise questions about whether players were unwilling to follow instructions or if communication was inadequate. However, on the pitch, it appeared more like a lack of clear direction than rigid adherence to strict tactics.
Fans often called for more discipline, which was absent in Ten Hag’s approach. This further confuses the picture of how effectively his tactics were implemented.
Inspired by Ten Hag’s Ajax success, his style on the pitch at Manchester United fell short of expectations.
Varane’s critique adds another layer of complexity to understanding Ten Hag’s time at United.
Though Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United was brief, it left many questions unanswered.
The contrast between his promising start and eventual downfall offers valuable insights into the challenges of adapting to a new league.
Man United fans eagerly await a manager who can find balance between tactical discipline and on-field adaptability.
What do you think about Ten Hag’s coaching style and the current challenges at Manchester United? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates and follow us on social media for the latest news.