The pundit says Erik ten Hag has managed to instil a notable team spirit at Manchester United since his arrival.
Jamie Carragher says Erik ten Hag has been able to create a new spirit of togetherness at Manchester United, something that previous managers have failed to achieve.
The Reds have listed David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as former permanent bosses before Ten Hag and Carragher says each one had their issues during their tenures.
The current boss has had to dealt with a seismic event himself when Cristiano Ronaldo gave his explosive interview to Piers Morgan in November, but has been praised for the manner in which he dealt with the situation.
Carragher noted that Ten Hag has managed to bring a real sense of camaraderie to the club that was so lacking last season. Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap fan debate, he explained: “It does feel different at Manchester United.
“I always felt there was some negativity around the other managers. With José [Mourinho], there were problems between him and the board. Louis van Gaal, the fans weren’t happy with the football.
“Ole [Gunnar Solskjær], no one ever felt he was going to be a manager that could win United the league title. He didn’t have that pedigree as a manager.
“[Erik] ten Hag knows what he’s doing and there’s a spirit at United that we haven’t seen for five or six years. The connection between the fans and the club is coming back.
“There’s a spirit there, when they score a goal, they’re all celebrating. There’s something there compared to other managers that have been in similar positions.”
Carragher also praised the way Ten Hag had conducted himself and his team in games against the big teams. United have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City at home this season and drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October.
Carragher added: “In the big games, Manchester United have almost been the underdog. They’ve allowed the other team to have the ball, and they’ve won games on the counterattack – those games against Arsenal, City and Liverpool.
“That’s brilliant management, clever tactics – when you don’t have the players to go right up against those teams and play the football you want to play. He’s come from Ajax, and that is that style of football that he wants to play.”
Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
