“I feel connected…” – Erik ten Hag says what Manchester United fans love to hear

Erik ten Hag has explained that he feels “connected” with his Manchester United squad ahead of an away trip to Elland Road against Leeds United in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag‘s revolution at Manchester United has been nothing short of stunning to witness, with the Dutch manager completely turning the club on it’s head since he took charge back June.

A lot has been said in the last 10 years that United have lost their “culture” – and despite it feeling like some “culture” had returned to the club under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it never quite felt permanent.

Now, though, it is an entirely different story.

Since Manchester United’s 6-3 defeat against Manchester City back in October, Ten Hag’s men have won 20 matches across all competitions, drawing four and losing two. They have scored 53 goals in that time and conceded just 20, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process.

“I feel really connected with this team, with this squad, it’s so United,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports. “Also, with the culture of Man United, I feel really connected with that.

“I see the team is growing, I see it is about the culture of hard to beat, win games, do that the United way – in togetherness, in an attacking and proactive way.”

One reason for United’s growth in recent months is the emergence of clear leaders within the squad, both in and off the field.

Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, David de Gea, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford emerging as key leadership players, all of whom are part of Erik ten Hag’s integral spine.

“You need players who take responsibility,” Ten Hag continued. “You need the right characters in the dressing room, so that in the moment they step on the pitch they know what is going on and they make the right decisions.”

Another encouraging part of Ten Hag’s time at the club is how United have performed in the big games this season. Prior to Ten Hag, almost all of the big wins at the club have come when United have conceded dominance and hit teams on the counter, which although can be exhilarating to watch, is an unsustainable method – these days, in order to win, teams need to dominate.

Under Ten Hag, despite the 6-3 loss to City, United have looked to (and been largely successful in doing so) impose themselves on big opposition, such as during United’s win against City in February and brilliant performance against Tottenham at Old Trafford in October.

These are the types of performances that will define who Manchester United are under Ten Hag, with the manager recognises that these are the types of games his players want to engage in.

Players like to play big games like Leeds, big games coming up like Barcelona, other games like City, Arsenal. I think all the Premier League games; players like it, to have a challenge, because when they get challenged, they get the best,” he said.

Manchester United will face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, before travelling to Spain to take on current La Liga leaders Barcelona in the Europa League knock-out stage.

United will be without Antony, Anthony Martial, and Scott McTominay for the fixture, with the trio ruled out through injury. Casemiro is also unavailable due to a 3-match ban he was served for violent conduct against Crystal Palace.