Devesh Kumar
Erik ten Hag has been advised by Manchester United chiefs to reduce expectations
According to ESPN (h/t Daily Mail), Erik ten Hag was advised by top brasses at Manchester United to lower his expectations for this season. However, the new manager is said to have ignored such advice.
The report says that comments from previous interim manager Ralf Rangnick had ‘affected’ the morale of the squad. United chiefs did not want Ten Hag to play down expectations, but the 52-year-old felt it was important to improve the confidence of the squad.
United finished last season as one of their worst Premier League campaigns in recent years. The club failed to gain Champions League qualification and finished sixth on the table. The trophy drought continued as the Red Devils finished a fifth consecutive year without lifting any silverware.
Things were meant to change with Ten Hag’s appointment, but the reality can be far more disappointing than dreams. The Dutchman got off to the worst possible start as his side were defeated 2-1 at home against Brighton & Hove Albion on their opening matchday last Sunday.
Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez were brought in to help increase the depth of the squad, but they are not enough. The Frenkie de Jong saga has taken its toll at the club, while personal negotiations with Adrien Rabiot seem to have hit a stalemate.
If this was not enough, United’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo still wants to leave the club to play Champions League football. The Portuguese came on as a substitute during United’s last game. Fred and Scot McTominay are just not good enough in the middle of the park, something which was clearly highlighted in the game against Brighton.
Rangnick had criticised the club and its players during his short tenure. However, Ten Hag is optimistic about his chances. He has taken it upon himself to improve the confidence of the squad as he will hope that he can deliver something in his first season in charge of Old Trafford.
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The fans are going through a nightmare in the Theatre of Dreams. Ten Hag will hope for a better performance from his side when they play Brentford this Saturday. A win would give them some needed boost before they welcome Liverpool on August 22.
