[Sport] Melissa Reddy: Inside Ten Hag’s Man Utd transformation since derby mauling

[CRG12]

Manchester is coated in a charcoal hue, the sky cracked with its riotous showers serving as background noise during a conversation in the shadow of Old Trafford.

"The gaffer is excellent at planning," begins a Manchester United staffer, elongating that point to stress its merits, before adding: "but having worked under so many managers and being a part of different dressing rooms, I would say his biggest strength is how he reacts - especially in dark moments."

It is a fitting skill to circle for Erik ten Hag as he primes for his second derby in England given the first was definitely one of those critical junctures that required a powerful response.

                                              

In October, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City "hammered" United - to pinch the Dutchman's description - ending their four-match winning run and problematically underscoring an inferiority complex.

The opening half at the Etihad threatened to derail all of the progress Ten Hag had made with the side after those early, sobering slaughterings by Brighton and Brentford. City were 4-0 up at the break, yet the scoreline still flattered a petrified United.

One senior player revealed that Ten Hag's clear, confid us he is a real leader and believes in us during the worst moments, maybe when we don't know how to believe in ourselves."dent talk at half-time despite the state of play "changed our mindset," but moreover"showed us he is a real leader and believes in us during the worst moments, maybe when we don't know how to believe in ourselves."

Links : https://www.skysports.com/football/news/37134/12785134/melissa-reddy-inside-ten-hags-man-utd-transformation-since-derby-mauling