Jason Wilcox makes new Man Utd assessment after Erik ten Hag’s “game model” claims

Jason Wilcox has been assessing different aspects at Manchester United, including Erik ten Hag’s first team, since joining as technical director earlier this month.

The former Manchester City academy chief has not been in the building at Old Trafford for long but has already started with several important tasks.

One of those is reportedly establishing a “game model” for United and then assessing whether Ten Hag will be able to fit into those plans.

According to Sam C Reports of The United Stand, there is a very positive mood around Carrington after Jason Wilcox met staff all around the complex.

In private, Wilcox has acknowledged that the tactical ineptitude of the playing squad is, for the most part, a direct consequence of the injuries sustained to players in crucial positions for the playing style intended.

Wilcox has been at Carrington during sessions to assess the intensity using metrics previously used in the academy of Manchester City.

A criticism of the Dutch manager since he joined has been the identify of the team on the pitch. There has not seemed to be much development.

Ahead of the draw against Burnley, however, Ten Hag fired back and stated that the “game-model” that he has introduced across the club has found several benefits.

The manager particularly pointed out how it has helped integration into the first-team after Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate last week.

“Strengthening the pathway between the academy and the first team was one of my priorities when I came to the club, working together with Darren Fletcher as the connector and [academy director] Nick Cox and his staff to develop a shared game model, with consistent training methods and playing styles,” Ten Hag stated.

“We are seeing the results of that this season, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo becoming important parts of the first team, and several others competing to join them.

“A top club can never succeed with homegrown players alone, but they will always be an important part of Manchester United. Ethan (Wheatley) can be proud to become the latest part of that story and others who show the right talent and winning attitude can follow him.”