7 players Ten Hag improved at Man Utd: Varane, Rashford, AWB...
Erik ten Hag has Manchester United dreaming of an unlikely title challenge and his impact is already being felt in a number of revitalized players at Old Trafford.
In particular, Ten Hag improved many players who were at the club before his arrival, taking them to third place and claiming the scalps of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
He has also been shrewd in his recruitment, bringing in charismatic players who can lift the rest of the squad and who will blend on the pitch with the squad already assembled by the former Ajax coach.
Here are six players who have already improved under Ten Hag.
Marcus RashfordRashford, like many of his team-mates, endured a dreadful campaign under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season.
Still, the 25-year-old bounced back by scoring seven goals in his first 15 games, which saw him called up to England's World Cup squad.
His brace against Arsenal in September was Rashford at his best, with his speed and trickery causing untold problems for the Premier League leaders as he netted a game-winning header against West Ham.
"I think he already is," Ten Hag said when asked if Rashford is becoming an elite player. "Before you turn 25, score 100 goals, I think you're already there, but he won't be happy with that.
"At the end of the day it's about how many trophies you win with your club and I think they can still develop their game."
Most impressively, Rashford responded to his retirement against Wolves for oversleeping by coming off the bench to score the winning goal; he definitely got his mojo back under the new manager.
And his winner against City underscored Rashford's improvement in 2022-23. He becomes a surefire candidate for Footballer of the Year.
Alejandro GarnachoWhile Garnacho was already a star for Manchester United's youth team, it's hard to deny the striker has flourished under Ten Hag this season.
He scored his first senior goal against Real Sociedad and made a thrilling appearance in the League Cup triumph over Aston Villa, becoming a hero to the club's supporters.
"It was good that he came and showed that performance and had that impact in the game, to be able to help, to do the dribbling and to run behind," Ten Hag said after the win over Villa.< /p>
"There are things he needs to improve, for example when we are slow to get the second balls. He still has things to learn but obviously we are happy with his development and he can contribute to the team.
"It depends on his approach, his attitude. When he keeps working then yes, it's possible (for him to play more). He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the ability."
But arguably his biggest contribution to date was his assist for Rashford's winner in the derby. He becomes an essential member of the United team.
Diogo DalotDalot has been United's first-choice right-back since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left as head coach last November, starting his side's 17 appearances before the World Cup, scoring once and providing two assists.
And his development accelerated under Ten Hag with a number of assured defensive performances.
The United boss has asked Dalot to continue his progress after his man of the match performance against West Ham in October.
"I hope he continues to improve, so not just at this level," said Ten Hag. “Our approach, our philosophy is that good is not good enough. We have to do better,” Ten Hag told reporters.
"We're happy with the development and performance of Diogo so that's pretty clear.
"It's heavy when you have to play every game, but physically he has a very good profile and I'm sure he will continue and continue to develop. That's what we demand and I'm sure he will."
David de GeaAfter a difficult start to the season, De Gea began to flourish under Ten Hag and produced a string of game-winning saves to keep United in the hunt for a Champions League return.
"So everyone has their own opinion and their own philosophy," Ten Hag said after beating West Ham. "For me, for a goalkeeper you have to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede any goals. In that he is magnificent.
"On the feet, for me, he also has the ability. I think when you see this season, he is improving from game to game on this part. And it's not just about the goalkeeper.
"It also has to do with who's in front, how you give the keeper the ability to bring passes, because when they're not running free, or in the...
Erik ten Hag has Manchester United dreaming of an unlikely title challenge and his impact is already being felt in a number of revitalized players at Old Trafford.
In particular, Ten Hag improved many players who were at the club before his arrival, taking them to third place and claiming the scalps of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
He has also been shrewd in his recruitment, bringing in charismatic players who can lift the rest of the squad and who will blend on the pitch with the squad already assembled by the former Ajax coach.
Here are six players who have already improved under Ten Hag.
Marcus RashfordRashford, like many of his team-mates, endured a dreadful campaign under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season.
Still, the 25-year-old bounced back by scoring seven goals in his first 15 games, which saw him called up to England's World Cup squad.
His brace against Arsenal in September was Rashford at his best, with his speed and trickery causing untold problems for the Premier League leaders as he netted a game-winning header against West Ham.
"I think he already is," Ten Hag said when asked if Rashford is becoming an elite player. "Before you turn 25, score 100 goals, I think you're already there, but he won't be happy with that.
"At the end of the day it's about how many trophies you win with your club and I think they can still develop their game."
Most impressively, Rashford responded to his retirement against Wolves for oversleeping by coming off the bench to score the winning goal; he definitely got his mojo back under the new manager.
And his winner against City underscored Rashford's improvement in 2022-23. He becomes a surefire candidate for Footballer of the Year.
Alejandro GarnachoWhile Garnacho was already a star for Manchester United's youth team, it's hard to deny the striker has flourished under Ten Hag this season.
He scored his first senior goal against Real Sociedad and made a thrilling appearance in the League Cup triumph over Aston Villa, becoming a hero to the club's supporters.
"It was good that he came and showed that performance and had that impact in the game, to be able to help, to do the dribbling and to run behind," Ten Hag said after the win over Villa.< /p>
"There are things he needs to improve, for example when we are slow to get the second balls. He still has things to learn but obviously we are happy with his development and he can contribute to the team.
"It depends on his approach, his attitude. When he keeps working then yes, it's possible (for him to play more). He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the ability."
But arguably his biggest contribution to date was his assist for Rashford's winner in the derby. He becomes an essential member of the United team.
Diogo DalotDalot has been United's first-choice right-back since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left as head coach last November, starting his side's 17 appearances before the World Cup, scoring once and providing two assists.
And his development accelerated under Ten Hag with a number of assured defensive performances.
The United boss has asked Dalot to continue his progress after his man of the match performance against West Ham in October.
"I hope he continues to improve, so not just at this level," said Ten Hag. “Our approach, our philosophy is that good is not good enough. We have to do better,” Ten Hag told reporters.
"We're happy with the development and performance of Diogo so that's pretty clear.
"It's heavy when you have to play every game, but physically he has a very good profile and I'm sure he will continue and continue to develop. That's what we demand and I'm sure he will."
David de GeaAfter a difficult start to the season, De Gea began to flourish under Ten Hag and produced a string of game-winning saves to keep United in the hunt for a Champions League return.
"So everyone has their own opinion and their own philosophy," Ten Hag said after beating West Ham. "For me, for a goalkeeper you have to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede any goals. In that he is magnificent.
"On the feet, for me, he also has the ability. I think when you see this season, he is improving from game to game on this part. And it's not just about the goalkeeper.
"It also has to do with who's in front, how you give the keeper the ability to bring passes, because when they're not running free, or in the...
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