But ahead – a dangerous “Barcelona”.
Trainer Manchester United – a fan of Cruyff
At Barcelona, the bond with Johan has never been interrupted. Gavi scored the ball in the Super Cup and gave two assists in El Clasico, repeating the Dutchman’s success. But there is a trace of Cruyff in Manchester United. There were two portraits of Johan in ten Hag’s office in Amsterdam. One with a picture of the player and the second as a manager. Even at the age of thirteen, when Eric only dreamed of becoming a football player, the boy ended up on the same TV show with Cruyff. Together with the legend, they discussed whether coaches should shout a lot at young players.
It was 1984 outside. Cruyff will lead Ajax in a year, and in another four years he will start restructuring in Barcelona, winning the first European Cup in its history for the Catalans. The Manchester United manager toured the empty Camp Nou on the eve of the Barcelona match. For him, the Blaugrana are as important as Ajax, even if he is a Twente man who has never played for an Amsterdam club. He wasn’t a great football player, but he has become a fantastic coach who gets along without Ronaldo.
Eric cleans Manchester United
It is a long and complex process, the result of which will be seen later. But Manchester United – the last English club to win four trophies. From the early days, ten Hag tried to remind players of the “devils” that even if they themselves were total losers in Premier League – ten years without the Scudetto after Ferguson, but they represent a great club. Eric who changes everything in the story Manchester United it already was. But the Canton artist ruled chaos, while ten Hag is more practical. A dress code was also agreed at the summer training camp, when the coach saw that everyone dresses as they want, from the outside they don’t look like a single team.
Footballers will remember the 13 km run. This is the average mileage of Brentford players on the day of the defeat. Manchester United. Ronaldo paid huge fines for his antics. Other players were penalized when they were late for team meetings, lunch or training. The Dutchman forced to equip an expensive cinema hall, in which he showed the players how they were “carried” to the starting matches Premier League. And now let’s see the results of the summer and autumn decisions. Manchester United they have won 14 of their last 17 games, second only to Arsenal. There are adventures, such as a draw with Leeds, but the adjustment process has begun.
The Dutch welcome newcomers
The coach openly complained about the team. Moreover, he is more interested not only in the class of football players, but also in their psychology. In the last game against Leeds, when they got their revenge after a home draw, they played Weghorst, Sabitzer, Fred, Malasia, Dalot, Maguire and Shaw, who may not be at the center of ten Hag’s dream a year from now. But many have completed the task, like Shaw, when he was in central defence. Also scored by young Garnacho, it is the 18-year-old Argentine’s third goal of the season. Star formation stories are also important to ten Hag. But the whole selection is not worth giving Manchester United in the hands of a personal trainer. We need a power vertical, because with expensive Anthony, the mentor probably made a mistake.
But if the club changes ownership in the coming weeks, insane transfer costs are possible. Yes, and without sheikhs there is money. And although there were connections that the Dutchman wants to keep, for example Varane and Martinez (Lisandro will not play today due to suspension, like Sabitzer), Manchester United look for a centre-forward, as well as the right midfielder to match Bruno and Casemiro, because Eriksen won’t last forever. The match against Barcelona is a test for Manchester United. After all, the Spaniards have given a streak of 11 wins, 16 games without defeat (the last time they lost to Bayern 0:3 in October). The reason for their success is due to the mentor and transfers that ten Hag is just waiting for.
The trophies will be judged
Arsenal have had good spells for years, sometimes quite long. But if there are no significant victories, the status has not been returned. And local compliments from Arteta herself are not satisfied. Even if Mikel lost again and again to Guardiola Premier League, believes in the Gunners championship. Mentor “Manchester United”, given the loss – in the infirmary five players including Eriksen, could not declare a fight for the title. But he can change tactics so that Manchester United played as the favorite going forward.
Ten Hag at team meetings has to convince Bruna, Rashford, De Gea, Varane and Casemiro that they can win trophies. It’s not just about the League Cup. Even if Barcelona is against it Manchester United – a modest Europa League match, and not a Champions League semi-final, we’re talking about a confrontation behind a great story. Thanks to Xavi, who does a great job, and ten Hags, this duel is deep and complex, like the movie Banshee of Inisherin. Let’s just hope it turns out more fun and injury-free.
Better after Ronaldo
Manchester United clearly added after Ronaldo’s departure. Cristiano interfered, first of all, with ten Hags and Rashford, judging by the team’s response and results. After the World Cup, Marcus has 13 goals and 4 assists in 15 games played, he is comparing himself with other clubs, not only PSG. Bruno has less effective actions, but also more useful ones. Game structure Manchester United not perfect, but it’s like the victory in the derby over Guardiloa. It takes patience, not just class, like Casemiro. Today Carlos will play against a familiar opponent.
Today the teams will meet at least for the quarterfinals Champions League in strength and potential. And all new successes are due to mentors, their competent and thoughtful work. Maybe Xavi is technically the favourite, but ten Hag is definitely no outsider. An important moment on Manchester United’s path to order, like in the old days. Varane and Casemiro will try to convey to their young colleagues that even at Camp Nou a serious team that demands trophies must play to win. And ten Hags will help them, because it is obvious that the last victories Manchester United hard to call casual. And victories are definitely training.
