Erik ten Hag: Will Manchester United manager seize second chance at Old Trafford this season? | Football News

Erik ten Hag remained as Man Utd manager this summer after convincing INEOS he was building something at Old Trafford, after a dreadful Premier League season was rescued by a surprise FA Cup final victory over Man City in May.

It was no secret that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS – the new co-owners – were talking to potential replacements as they considered whether to stick with the incumbent boss or remain with him after buying a 25 per cent stake in the club.

But now that they’ve been under the table for a while, recruitment is in full swing and they face a whole pre-season campaign to be assessed, what is the plan for Ten Hag’s Man Utd 2.0 if he is the man to realise their ambitions this season?

Could a false 9 be the missing link?

Gary Neville called United’s out-of-possession structure ‘schoolboyish’ towards the end of last season, joining many others in criticising the often huge gaps between Man Utd’s lines and sometimes even in midfield.

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The players seemed keen to press, but they were more concerned with their opponents as individuals than as a team, leaving gaping holes in their game. Only Sheffield United, in 20th place, have conceded more shots over the entire season.

To play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine in the FA Cup final filled some of those gaps with the extra midfield. It coincided with a more disciplined defensive performance across the team and saw them deservedly beat Manchester City despite barely having a quarter of the ball.

That more solid formation has continued for much of the pre-season. In defeats, but strong performances, against Liverpool and Arsenal in the US, the high-pressing style that Ten Hag championed at Ajax has finally been seen in his Man Utd team and opponents have found it difficult to play through the naturally tighter 4-5-1.

During those matches and the preparation for the season, Jadon Sancho took on the role of false nine and impressed against Rangers and Liverpool, working well with Mason Mount and Amad Diallo.

Ten Hag repeated the tactic during last Saturday’s Community Shield against Pep Guardiola’s team, with Fernandes and Mountain, whose energy without the ball undoubtedly helps, as they rotate among themselves like false nines.

The change has seen a blossoming of attacking play patterns, with that deeper role helping to link play in the forward areas rather than the often isolated number 9 we saw a lot of last season and Marcus Rashford looking deserted.

The choice of formation is as much a matter of standard as it is of design, with Ten Hag without a number 9 for most of pre-season, with Rasmus Hojlund out injured and Joshua Zirkzee only returning in time to feature as a substitute during the Community Shield after an extended break following Euro 2024.

But management has always had a decent chance, so has Ten Hag found a system he can use when Man United need more defensive solidarity?

Much depends on Ten Hag’s pursuit of Ugarte

In the Community Shield defeat to Man City, Casemiro finally looked like the man United bought two years ago to plug the hole in the core of midfield. But the question remains whether age and injuries have caught up with the 32-year-old.

After a couple of disappointing performances last season, which drew criticism from Jamie Carragher, he can’t be relied upon as the defensive shield Man Utd need if they are to return to the Champions League. United know this and have turned PSG into ball-winning players Manuel Ugarte a target to fill that role.

As Nick Wright noted in his excellent analysis of the Uruguayan, Ugarte’s tally of 98 tackles was the most of anyone in Ligue 1 last season, despite starting just 21 of the 34 games for a team that spent around 66 per cent of its time in possession.

Last season, Sofyan Amrabat was brought in as a replacement for Casemiro, but a strong performance in the FA Cup final was not enough to convince Ten Hag to convert his loan from Fiorentina into a permanent appointment.

And United has lined up Youssouf Fofana And Sander Berge as an alternative defensive midfielder, in case their pursuit of Ugarte has to end.

But Ugarte is known for his instinctive sense of positioning – something United desperately need after being caught out in forward transition time and again last season. Without him, or someone of his ilk, they will struggle to tighten up.

Another season full of injuries?

The first ball of the Premier League season has not even been kicked yet, but Ten Hag is already struggling with an ever-lengthening list of injuries after dealing with so many absentees last season.

Hojlund misses the start of the season, Lucas Shaw will not return until after the international break in September due to a calf injury and a new signing Leny Yoro is ruled out for much of 2024. He would need to be the rock to get things sorted at the back. His pace would allow United to sit higher, and his ball skills would allow them to get through the lines better – something Ten Hag has always wanted to build on.

During his absence, Lisandro Martinez And Harry Maguire integral part of Man Utd’s defence. On paper they are a capable duo, but they only started together once last season as their own injuries caused defensive problems.

Matthijs De Ligt could be the solution in a reunion with Ten Hag – but without that it’s just Victor Lindelof And Johnny Evans in reserve.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka also leaving for West Ham, defenders could be limited, but the arrival of Noussair Mazraoui Furthermore, Martinez’s ability to play as a left-back could be a solution in Shaw’s absence.

Are the children doing well?

Kobbie Mainoo was perhaps the bright spot of last season after his impressive breakthrough through the youth ranks, and his successor has already laid claim to the title of the next young player to roll off the production line.

Toby Collyer has done an excellent job in pre-season, acting as a double pivot with Casemiro. And even if the Brazilian stays at Old Trafford, his 20-year-old midfielder may already have overtaken him in the pecking order.

He is more of a stopper than a creative player, but is tidy with the ball and completed his passes 100 percent against Rangers.

“I always want to create paths for young players, but they have to earn it,” Ten Hag said after the 2-0 win. “Collyer has earned a chance now and we will see how we can move forward.”