Erik Ten Hag faces a daunting task after the English giants had one of the most disappointing seasons in their history.
Whatever could go wrong in the 2021-22 season did go wrong, from finishing outside the Champions League positions to accumulating their lowest-ever point total.
According to former United defender Mikael Silvestre, the biggest upside for the Dutchman is that things can’t go any worse from here.
In Ten Hag’s first season, the Red Devils finished sixth and will have to settle for a place in the Europa League. United has shipped in a record number of goals under three managers, but Silvestre believes the Dutchman will ensure none of these statistics are duplicated this time.
According to the Daily Mirror, the former United left-back believes the former Ajax manager has what it takes to lead United to the Premier League.
Mikael Silvestre said:
“I think last season was a nightmare with the changing of the manager and finishing sixth. That was a real nightmare, so I don’t think it can get worse. I think the team will finish in a better position next season.”
“Erik’s been successful because he’s got his own personality and his own management style. I think for United you have to embrace the culture, so that’s something that he needs to do.”
The way Ajax have gone about their business under Ten Hag is proof of this. Three Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Cups, and a memorable Champions League semifinal run that includes notable wins over Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Furthermore, fans loved their attacking football and their aggressive pressing, which is a typical trait among successful modern teams.
Seven managers have passed through the hallowed doors of Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was one of the few permanent managers who fully understood what set the club different from the rest of the division.
While his tenure did not provide the expected results in the form of trophies, it was the closest the fans had felt to Alex Ferguson’s reign.
