Here's another article well worth reading, if you can get behind the Athletic paywall. Big Daddy of tactical analysis Michael Cox (who incidentally has been scathing about Rangnick's United) discusses Ten Hag: https://theathletic.com/3219700/2022/04/12/michael-cox-the-football-manchester-united-fans-should-expect-from-erik-ten-hag/
Some key points:
- Says Ten Hag is the boldest choice on United's part (he's the baldest one, ho ho) as there's potentially more risk due to his lack of big club / PL experience, but also the one who "offers probably the greatest reward, considering the slick, fluid football Ajax have showcased under Ten Hag".
- Explores the idea of how managers need to be able to adapt their approach to new clubs and leagues (e.g. Guardiola's Bayern deployed different tactics to his Barcelona, even though the basic philosophy didn't change).
- Ajax's 2022 vintage is almost entirely different from Ten Hag's 2019 team, in terms of personnel, formation and tactics. Now using a classic number 9, whereas in 2019 he deployed a false 9. Probably the formation will change again when he takes over at United.
- Constant principles in his football include variations in build up. "Ten Hag’s Ajax play out excellently from the back, not merely keeping the ball and progressing up the pitch, but dragging opponents out of shape as they do so. In part, that’s because Ajax are so effective at varying the way they manage possession." He uses the match against Benfica as an example. Benfica "were generally pressing them with a front two, which meant Ten Hag wanted to build up play with three players in defence. The precise identity of the three kept varying, though it was always drawn from the same five players: the back four and holding midfielder... This keeps the opposition guessing, and often opens up gaps to break into as their press becomes disjointed."
- Another recurring principle is that defenders are encouraged to be aggressive in possession: both as passers, but comfortable carrying the ball up the pitch, which suits Maguire and Lindelof (and less so Varane). This often results in unusually high numbers of players participating in attack.
- Fluidity in midfield is a key attribute. The 2019 team played kind of 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot, while in 2022 Ajax has more of a 4-3-3 with a recognisable DM (Edson Alvarez). However, in practice, the midfield triangles see the more defensive players often joining the attack and number ten dropping.
- Aggressive counter pressing. Often effective, though it can create vulnerability to counter-attack if the press is beaten.
- Strong emphasis on wingers, often inverted so they can cut inside and shoot. Sometimes uses the tactic of moving one winger across to combine with the other to overload one wing (sometimes using that as a tactic to draw defence across before swiftly shifting the ball to the exposed other flank). Generally, Ten Hag has been flexible about attacking formations, as per the false 9 / classic 9 comment above.
- "The obvious question is how effectively Ten Hag will be able to instil those principles at a club who, unlike Ajax, have never had a clear philosophy in place and whose players aren’t accustomed to playing under a top-level modern coach. But that is precisely why Ten Hag’s appointment is so exciting, and, potentially, so transformative."
More ETH content
posted on 13/4/22
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 16 seconds ago
comment by HB Fash (U21935)
posted 48 minutes ago
Should be the end of McFred.
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Cox actually notes that these flexible requirements could suit the attributes of United's midfield.
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You can just imagine the fume when we start next season with McT and Fred as the midfield two!
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I would not be surprised - I really wouldn't.
posted on 13/4/22
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 1 minute ago
Not the whole team no. But there are gaping holes in this squad which will need filling whoever we have in charge.
In short, getting a manager because they suit our current squad probably isn't the wisest thing to be doing.
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I agree. And whichever manager we appointed, there would be quite a lot of squad churn coming up this summer anyway.
Leaving - Cavani, Mata, Lingard, Greenwood, probably Pogba
One year left on contract / may leave sooner - Matic, Ronaldo
Both club and player want move - Martial
That's not going to generate transfer fee kitty, but it will free up a lot of wage budget. Will certainly be a challenge to meet our recruitment needs in a window or two, but I think it gives quite a lot of scope for changing the profile of a big chunk of the squad. Would be helpful if one or two academy players could support this transition.
posted on 13/4/22
I think Ten Hag will like Fred.
McTominay will have to stop hiding from the ball if he's going to have any sort of future under him.
posted on 13/4/22
I'm hoping Rangnick has a full dossier ready for ETH on the qualities of the players.
Whilst we've not had spectacular results under Ralf I do think the short term 'pain' of his tenure will be worth it if we use him in what he's shown to be good at - club building. If he's cleared the path, and taken some bullets, to ensure a smoother transition for the new guy then it's worth it. Isn't that what a lot of us wanted anyway? A long term strategy.
I'm thinking there are some players, who are not particularly fan favourites, that ETH will like and I also wouldn't be surprised to see a shock departure or two. Although, to be fair, no departure would be that big a shock really!
posted on 13/4/22
BREAKING: Man Utd have reached a verbal agreement with Erik ten Hag to ruin his promising career in under 3 years.
Paddy Power on Twitter
posted on 13/4/22
I'm thinking there are some players, who are not particularly fan favourites, that ETH will like
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Maguire would seem to fit the characteristics of the Ten Hag 'aggressive in possession' defender.
posted on 13/4/22
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 13 minutes ago
I'm thinking there are some players, who are not particularly fan favourites, that ETH will like
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Maguire would seem to fit the characteristics of the Ten Hag 'aggressive in possession' defender.
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My captain!
In truth though I don't really care who ETH picks as long as they play well as a team. Clean slate for all of them for next season and go from there.
posted on 13/4/22
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
BREAKING: Man Utd have reached a verbal agreement with Erik ten Hag to ruin his promising career in under 3 years.
Paddy Power on Twitter
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Is that supposed to be a joke or a prediction?
They shouldn’t even be offering odds on that.
posted on 13/4/22
An insight from Schteve McClaren:
"We were starting pre-season training the day after I was appointed,’ McClaren told The Athletic.
‘He brought out this folder, and there were six weeks worth of pre-season training planned in there. Every minute of every day was laid out, from drinks sessions to warming down, to individual work. It was so detailed. I’d not seen anything like it before, and I’ve not seen anything like it since.
‘He would prepare meticulous game plans about the opposition. How we were going to press, how we were going to build up. I thought I knew football before, but going there and experiencing that… I knew nothing about football.’
High praise from Steve.
posted on 13/4/22
comment by Salam Reds (Pro ETH) (U22803)
posted 0 seconds ago
An insight from Schteve McClaren:
"We were starting pre-season training the day after I was appointed,’ McClaren told The Athletic.
‘He brought out this folder, and there were six weeks worth of pre-season training planned in there. Every minute of every day was laid out, from drinks sessions to warming down, to individual work. It was so detailed. I’d not seen anything like it before, and I’ve not seen anything like it since.
‘He would prepare meticulous game plans about the opposition. How we were going to press, how we were going to build up. I thought I knew football before, but going there and experiencing that… I knew nothing about football.’
High praise from Steve.
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Insight was from Steve's time with ETH at Twente in the 2008/09 season.