Steve McClaren reveals Erik ten Hag moment that left Manchester United star ‘in shock’

Steve McClaren has revealed a moment surrounding Erik ten Hag that left one of his Manchester United stars in shock after they signed in 2022.

Last season, Manchester United experienced a series of dramatic ups and downs, which culminated in Erik ten Hag lifting the 2024 FA Cup trophy.

Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a 2-1 win over Manchester City on the final day of the domestic season, although the weeks before the fixture filled United fans with dread.

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Namely, a 4-0 loss away from home against Crystal Palace saw many fans lose hope in the squad, and Steve McClaren, former United coach, has praised Ten Hag and his staff for turning the squad around from that defeat to lift the FA Cup trophy.

“We were nearly walking home from Crystal Palace … people realise we have got to win the next game,” he told The Telegraph.

“It was such a bad time after that Palace game. Erik, the staff, the players, how we turned it around to beating City [and winning the final two Premier League games] … in many years in football, I have never seen anything like it.”

Speaking further, McClaren was questioned as to why Ten Hag relied on Dutch-based players since he joined in 2022, with Antony being given as an example of moments where his insistence on such players has not helped him.

McClaren pointed out that the players knew how Ten Hag wanted to play and that the Dutch manager knew he did not have the time to get United on track when he signed for the club.

“First, [the players know] the way he wanted to play,” McClaren said. “Two, the players that were available. Three, knowing he didn’t have a lot of time at United to get things going.

“[Lisandro] Martínez at the beginning, [it was a case of] are you sure? Yes, he [Ten Hag] was. Because he [Martínez] knows the way Erik wants to play. I have done the same as a manager.

“Going into a club trying to instil something, I always wanted two or three I have worked with previously. You need followers and people who believe in what you are doing. There is a list of five [potential signings], and you pick the one that you know.”

McClaren also explained a moment Ten Hag had with Casemiro when he initially signed which shocked the Brazilian.

Coming from Real Madrid, Casemiro has become one of the most experienced midfielders ever to kick a ball, but even he was taken aback by Ten Hag’s tactical knowledge.

“Casemiro couldn’t believe the detail and the tactical knowledge that he [Ten Hag] had. He [Casemiro] thought he had seen it all at Real Madrid.

“That’s what I valued in that first year at Twente. Erik helped me bed into the club. Every session planned, every drinks’ break. Meticulous. [Even down to] What you had to wear. Socks up or down.”

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