Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United midfielder Fred hails the arrival of ‘world class’ Erik ten Hag as the new first-team manager
Speaking to Premier League Productions (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United midfielder Fred hailed the arrival of Erik ten Hag as the new first-team manager of the side, describing him to be world-class and hoping that he helps them win trophies once again.
ten Hag was announced as the new incoming boss of the team, succeeding Ralf Rangnick in the manager’s seat in the dugout at Old Trafford. Rangnick was appointed only on an interim basis, and with his tenure expiring in the summer, he will make way for the new manager.
Fred described his new head coach as world-class, believing the Dutchman to be someone who played good football at Ajax and could turn out to be a manager who can help the team a lot and hopefully win trophies next year.
“It’s great news. He’s a world-class coach who will help us a lot here. I’ve watched Ajax and they are a great team who play good football. We know he helps us a lot and hopefully next year we can win trophies.”
ten Hag will stay with current side Ajax Amsterdam until the end of the season, as he looks to help them achieve a hat-trick of Eredivisie titles – all of which will have been won under his reign in Holland.
“Back winning again”
The 52-year-old also has a reputation for winning trophies in the Netherlands, helping the club to a couple of league titles and multiple domestic cup trophies. He nearly made the final of the Champions League in 2019 as well, earning admiration and respect from the footballing world for leading a young Ajax team until the semi-finals.
Fred recognised these qualities of the Dutchman and insisted that the team’s priority is to improve, develop, continue fighting and challenge for trophies, saying that he expected the new manager to help United get back to winning again.
“The priority is to improve, develop, continue fighting and challenge for trophies. We need to be back to (being) the huge club that Manchester United are. We know the new manager will help us get back on the rails and the objective will be to be back winning again.”
The Red Devils have been enjoying a dismal season so far, unable to put together a string of winning results and convincing performances on the field. It sees them sit sixth in the Premier League table, three points away from a top-four place, having played an extra game already.
Rangnick has been tasked with helping the team qualify for the Champions League next term, and unless United embark on a winning streak and hope that other rivals lose games, playing elite European football could remain a distant dream.
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As Fred said, the Manchester side need to work on getting back to where they were and once again being a club that competed for all trophies and played attractive football on the pitch. ten Hag’s Ajax are in many ways what the United of old played like, so having him on board from next season seems like a smart choice.
Fred will also hope that he gets a chance to impress the new man and establish himself in the first team, given that he has managed to win over his previous managers at Old Trafford and become a regular in the starting lineup.
