Erik: We must be believers in beautiful football... but worst sin is failing to WIN THE
ERIK TEN HAG’S dream is to bring Total Football to Manchester United.
But the Dutchman has warned his players that they must first be prepared to ‘win ugly’ as he strives to bring the beautiful game to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has joined United from Ajax after leading a renaissance at the Amsterdam club based on the principles of Johan Cruyff.
In an earlier role as reserveteam coach at Bayern Munich, he worked under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.
But Ten Hag is pragmatic enough to understand that his only chance of buying enough time to transform the fallen Reds is if he can produce results with most of the squad he’s inherited.
When he was asked about the need to win with a swagger, Ten Hag responded: “You are talking like a Dutchman. They always want to play brilliant football.
“That is why I’m here – and I like it. You want to win and you want to win in a certain way by being so proactive, brave, adventurous.
“I think that’s what belongs to the culture of Manchester United, and we want to bring that in.
“But at the end of the day if you cannot win in a good way, in an entertaining way, you still have to win. That is the mentality and the attitude that we bring in.
“Sometimes there will be games where you do not play well – but you still have to win.”
Ten Hag’s first task is to pacify a club that has been at war in the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
By winning trophies, Ferguson was able to keep a lid on the fans’ open hostility to the Glazer family that owns the club. But discontent has turned into rebellion in recent seasons – and the club’s failure to deliver in the transfer market this summer has left Ten Hag with problems to solve both on and off the pitch.
United have spent £51million to bring in Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez (right) from Ajax and a further £13.5m captured Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.
But while Christian Eriksen will add quality to Ten Hag’s midfield, No.1 target Frenkie de Jong refused to leave
Barcelona until he is paid £17m in outstanding wages.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s constant shows of dissent mirror the frustrations being felt on the Stretford End.
Ten Hag said: “Me, the coaching staff, the players have to do everything to bring success back onto the pitch.
“Everything starts on the pitch at the training ground – and every day you have to bring the maximum of what you can.
“Then you will develop individually and as a team.
“I think it’s clear that this stadium is meant to bring over a fight. I hope for good cooperation from the fans. But we have to give the example on the pitch.
“If we have the right attitude – and by that I mean giving hard work and also being brave – then the fans will like it and it will bring the fight back.”
It surely won’t take long for United’s supporters to turn their anger against the club’s owners again, after a summer which saw the Glazers plunder another £11m from the Old Trafford coffers.
United face a tricky opening-weekend encounter against Brighton at Old Trafford today.
And Ten Hag added: “I am looking forward to every game and every game will be a challenge.
“There will be disappointments and setbacks and we will have to deal with it. “I know that because that’s life – a sporting life. Every club and every supporter has to deal with it. That is the attitude we all need.
“When you show that attitude, and have a good plan, in the end you will achieve success. I am 100 percent confident of that.”