Erik ten Hag acknowledges that playing for Manchester United is one of the most challenging experiences for any footballer. He emphasizes that players lacking confidence may find it particularly difficult.
Since Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United has faced significant challenges in the transfer market, witnessing occasional successes but more often experiencing expensive failures or, at best, overpriced mediocrity.
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Under Ten Hag’s management, players like Antony and Sofyan Amrabat have struggled to make a significant impact despite substantial investments in the former and a lengthy pursuit of the latter.
Donny van de Beek, another transfer disappointment, has departed on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt after consistently failing to secure a spot in the first team since his move from Ajax in 2020.
In light of Van de Beek’s journey from one of Europe’s brightest prospects to an Old Trafford outcast, Ten Hag was questioned about whether this could deter other young players from considering a move to Manchester United.
‘That is always on those players and how much confidence you have in your capabilities,’ Ten Hag said, explaining why many players have struggled.
‘But I can tell you one thing – the Premier League is tough. Man United, that is tough to play there because it’s easier to play in almost any other team than Man United because the pressure is that high always. You have to deal with that.
‘But if you have confidence in yourself, this is the best challenge and this is definitely the best club you want to be at as a player. It depends on player to player, and it depends especially on the character of the player, their personality.’
When Ten Hag arrived in Manchester, there was optimism for Van de Beek due to their successful collaboration at Ajax.
However, the manager revealed that it was primarily injuries, rather than any other factor, that hindered his fellow Dutchman.
‘He has had many injuries,’ Ten Hag said. ‘First of all. I worked now with him for two years [at United] and before he was under different managers here. He had a loan before (to Everton) as well.
‘Actually, from the first moment I came in here at Manchester United, he wasn’t the player he was at Ajax because he was injured. So many times he was not available and then he struggled for a long time to recover. That is probably the main reason why he was not playing.
‘We decided for a loan in the summer but it didn’t come and then his opportunities are few because also we make appointments and we make agreements with players and contract players in that position. The competition was high.’
