So far, Erik ten Hag has made a good impression on Manchester United fans.
Monday’s debut press conference offered fans and the media their first real insight into the Dutch mentality. He has already held several meetings with United officials in London ahead of a review scheduled for the summer.
Ten Hag saw their new club lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Sunday. The 52-year-old let his players rest before revealing his intentions to them after the break, although he appears to have already allowed the departures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams.
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He is praised, while fans are also optimistic about the arrival of former Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and former Old Trafford No. 2 Steve McClaren. was the right hand of Sir Alex Ferguson between 1999 and 2001.
In his first press conference, Ten Hag reiterated that he has “confidence in the project” and “good people around” the club. He Manchester Evening News understands that four coaches will move from Old Trafford, including Mike Phelan.
This may be your first mistake. Whether it’s Phelan’s choice or the club’s decision, Ten Hag could do much worse than keep him, even if only for 12 more months.
Phelan has spent 20 years at United during numerous spells and was one of many of the club’s successes in the 2000s under Sir Alex Ferguson. His experience could have proved vital as the club enters a new era.
Former defender Rio Ferdinand said McClaren’s appointment was a good move because of his knowledge of the victory. Phelan also falls into this category.
Ten Hag must be careful not to throw the baby with the bath water while continuing his internal shaking. Phelan knows what it takes to make money; Three Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Club World Cup should not be overlooked.
That being said, it has also been noted that he has not been able to stop rot at Old Trafford since returning with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018 after being out in Australia’s Norwich, Hull and Central Coast Mariners. But the cracks began to appear after he left in 2013, so blaming him for the fall that followed would be unfair.
Phelan may have been a valuable member of the rear staff during the tenure of Ten Hag. The Dutchman knows that he must have well-informed, reliable and successful voices around him if he wants to rebuild United to their former heights.
After coaching people like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, among many other heroes, Phelan’s trajectory is undeniable. Allowing him to leave without trying to use his experience could be a big mistake.
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