Ten Hag names Arsenal & Liverpool legends in his dream 5-A-Side team
Erik ten Hag left out several former Manchester United players when choosing his ideal 5-A-Side team but did include legendary players from Arsenal and Liverpool.
United are set to begin their Europa League campaign on Wednesday against Twente, the team where Ten Hag started his playing career.
The Dutch manager has struggled in European competitions with Manchester United so far, losing in the quarter-finals of the Europa League during his first season, followed by an early exit from the Champions League group stage last season.
This year, United are among the favorites to win the Europa League, along with teams like Tottenham, Roma, and Athletic Bilbao.
Before their first match, UEFA asked Ten Hag to select a 5-A-Side team from past winners of the Europa League/UEFA Cup.
From a provided list that included former United players like Wayne Rooney, Ten Hag chose goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Fabio Cannavaro, and midfielder Lothar Matthaus.
But his last two selections may raise eyebrows: ‘In terms of midfielders, I would pick Steven Gerrard because he can also defend and attack.
‘He has a good shot and is a good finisher and can play the final pass, which is what you need.
‘My attacker… that’s easy, Dennis Bergkamp. He’s phenomenal in tight spaces. Incredibly quick. A great finisher.
‘I think that would be a great team with Buffon, Cannavaro, Matthaus, Gerrard and Bergkamp. I think they would be very successful.’
Legendary Liverpool captain Gerrard won the UEFA Cup in 2001 for Man United’s arch rivals, while Arsenal hero Bergkamp triumphed in the competition for Ajax and Inter Milan.
The latter’s selection is not too surprising given his status as one of the Netherlands’ greatest players, with Ten Hag no doubt hoping to emulate his fellow countryman’s achievement this campaign.
‘It’s tomorrow we have our first impressions [of the new Europa League format],’ the manager said ahead of United vs Twente.
‘Last week, I followed the Champions League in the same format, and it looks like every game is significant and every goal is significant. Even so, we know what to do.
‘We have to win tomorrow because it’s the first match in this league and we have eight games to go. So you have your first home game and you have to win this game.’
