EFL Cup winner Erik ten Hag immediately seized his first chance to win a prize at Manchester United. Gary Neville and Roy Keane, former players of the English record champion and now working as analysts, are lyrical about the work the Dutchman is doing at Old Trafford.
Manchester United won 2-0 against Newcastle United on Sunday and thus seized the League Cup. Ten Hag’s team is also in the race for the national title, the Europa League and the FA Cup. “What they’re doing now is something I could never have imagined six months ago,” Neville told Sky Sports.
The former defender sees that all players give the maximum: “And that’s all you want to see. At the end of last season, some players were part of the team who were called a disgrace by me and other United fans. The turnaround under Erik ten Hag is incredible. This team will be very dangerous with a medal around the neck, because you have the feeling that Ten Hag will improve the team even further.”
Keane is also impressed by the work of the Dutchman. “Erik was brought here to rebuild the club and make them more competitive,” said the former midfielder. “I hated what this club has been facing in recent years, with problems on and off the field. What the manager has done in a short time is fantastic.”
For Manchester United, the League Cup meant the first prize since 2017. “This team has spirit,” Keane stated with satisfaction. “We are working hard and the players should now use this as a springboard to take more trophies in the coming years. That’s what it’s about when you play at Manchester United.”
Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Ten Hag
Sir Alex Ferguson clearly has a high opinion of Erik ten Hag, who guided Manchester United to the League Cup win on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United. His illustrious predecessor was waiting for Ten Hag in the tunnel afterwards for congratulations.
Earlier this week, a photo came out of a meeting between Ten Hag and Ferguson in a restaurant in Wilmslow, a village below Manchester. “He feels so involved. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next time,” said Ten Hag at his press conference.
The two met again on Sunday. After the League Cup win, Ferguson was applauding in the catacombs waiting for Ten Hag. According to Sky Sports, the Dutchman then invited the United legend into the dressing room.
Ten Hag was also congratulated by Avram Glazer, United’s much-discussed and unpopular club owner. He last saw his club win a prize in 2017.
