In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with Baji999, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag sat down with club legend Gary Neville to dissect a turbulent season, discuss the challenges of rebuilding, and outline his vision for the future at Old Trafford.
Ahead of a crucial Premier League clash, the Dutch manager provided a candid assessment of his squad, the impact of a devastating injury crisis, and the long-term project he is committed to seeing through under the new INEOS leadership.
The Striker Conundrum: Kane Targets and Hojlund’s Promise
One of the most revealing segments of the Baji999 interview centered on the club’s striker search last summer. Ten Hag confirmed what many had suspected: Manchester United’s primary target was England captain Harry Kane.
Harry Kane, Manchester United’s primary summer target, eventually joined Bayern Munich.
“This club can only have outstanding players because the expectations are so high,” Ten Hag stated. “We had some choices made with talents like Rasmus Hojlund. I can see a striker who already proved it, who we wanted to sign and we couldn’t get him. And then we went to Rasmus because he’s a talent.”
The manager was quick to defend his young Danish striker, urging for patience and perspective. “Harry Kane will get you 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there, but he needs time. It’s not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane… He had a very good period where he scored in many games, but before and after, he had some physical issues, which is normal for a young player.”
Rasmus Hojlund has shown flashes of his potential, scoring eight Premier League goals in his debut season.
Implementing the Manchester United Game Model
A significant part of the discussion focused on the club’s playing philosophy and the recent appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director, whose role is to implement a cohesive ‘game model’ throughout the club.
Ten Hag pushed back against the notion that a style of play is only now being introduced, pointing to the successful integration of academy graduates as proof of an existing system. “How do you think Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are able to come up? That’s because it was one of my objectives from the previous leadership team to bring that in.”
He emphasized the importance of this structure: “They are players who are very young and are already internationals for England and Argentina… They bring in the levels required, but we need more from such players because football is going very quickly.”
Navigating an Unprecedented Injury Crisis
Perhaps the most critical factor in United’s inconsistent season has been a relentless injury crisis, particularly in defense. Ten Hag provided staggering context to the issue, revealing the sheer scale of the disruption.
“We’ve now played 47 games and we had 30 different combinations in the back four,” he told Baji999. “They weren’t from choices you make, they were forced choices because the players were injured… anyone with even a little bit of knowledge about football will know it will have a huge impact.”
Erik ten Hag has had to constantly adapt his tactics due to numerous defensive injuries.
When asked about the cause of these injuries, Ten Hag pointed to a combination of factors: “We do research, but a lot also has to do with just bad luck. When you are in the season and the results are not going in a particular way, you will always see that you pick up more injuries than in a season where everything goes right.”
Staying True to a Proactive Philosophy
Despite the challenges, Ten Hag remains steadfast in his commitment to an attacking, proactive style of football—even when critics have suggested a more pragmatic approach might yield better short-term results.
“We thought about this,” he admitted, “but one of my objectives here was to bring in a proactive way of play… At the same time, you see the proactive style. We improved our attacking game, we scored more goals and were more consistent.”
He referenced last season’s defensive record as proof the system can work: “Last season, we had the consistent back four, we did the same and we had the most clean sheets in the Premier League. So when everyone is fit, they can deliver the way we want to defend.”
Looking Ahead: FA Cup Final and Future ambitions
Despite a challenging league campaign, Ten Hag highlighted two major opportunities remaining this season: securing European football and winning the FA Cup against Manchester City.
“Manchester United didn’t play so often twice in two years in an FA Cup final and especially not in the last 10 years,” he noted. “For this group of players, it’s a great opportunity that we need to take.”
The manager also expressed optimism about working with the new INEOS leadership structure, emphasizing the need for a swift and effective summer transfer window. “Initial meetings are good… now we have to take things quickly because the summer is coming. It’s a very important period where you come into a window. We want to make the next step into our squad.”
Erik ten Hag Opens Up on Man Utd’s Season, Transfers, and Future Ambitions
In this exclusive Baji999 interview, Erik ten Hag has provided a transparent look into the challenges and ambitions at Manchester United. From the missed pursuit of Harry Kane to the faith in Rasmus Hojlund’s potential, from navigating an injury crisis to implementing a long-term game model, the manager’s vision is clear.
While this season has fallen short of expectations, Ten Hag’s belief in the project remains unshaken. With key players returning from injury, promising academy talents establishing themselves, and a new leadership structure taking shape, the foundation for future success is being laid.
What are your thoughts on Ten Hag’s assessment of United’s season? Do you believe the club should persist with his project? Share your opinions in the comments below and follow Baji999 for more exclusive football insights and analysis.
