Erik ten Hag chose to ignore Louis van Gaal's stark warning about Man Utd job

04 November 2023 , 05:30

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Louis van Gaal spent two years in charge of Manchester United (Image: PA)

Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal warned Erik ten Hag about some of the issues he is now facing at Old Trafford before he took the job.

Ten Hag was appointed United manager last year after a very successful stint at Ajax and enjoyed an impressive first season in charge as the Red Devils won the Carabao Cup, qualified for the Champions League and reached the FA Cup final.

However, United have been unable to build on that progress so far this season and have made their worst start to a campaign since 1962. They currently find themselves eighth in the Premier League, third in their Champions League group and already knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

As a result, Ten Hag is under massive pressure amid reports there is a split in the dressing room and club chiefs are already looking at potential replacements. While Ten Hag's tactics have come in for criticism, it is clear that some of United's problems run a lot deeper than just the manager.

Former captain Gary Neville has repeatedly taken aim at the Glazers and the way they have run the club, with none of the managers who have taken charge following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 able to enjoy much success.

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Van Gaal was among them, spending two years at the helm between 2014 and 2016, and a month before Ten Hag decided to join United he warned him against taking the job - branding them a "commercial club".

"Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United," Van Gaal said. "But Manchester United are a commercial club, so it's a difficult choice for a coach. He'd better go to a football club.

"I'm not going to advise him, he'll call me himself. But he must choose a football club and not a commercial club." However, Ten Hag disregarded Van Gaal's warning and is now fighting to keep his job.

Current United boss Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure (AP)

Speaking after United's heavy 3-0 loss to Newcastle on Wednesday, Ten Hag admitted his side are in "a bad place" but vowed to turn things around. "I'm a fighter and I know it's not always going up," he said.

"We've had a lot of setbacks this season but you have to deal with it and that's never an excuse. I understand it when the results are not there, that there are questions, but I'm confident. I did it at all my clubs before and also last year here, but at this moment we're in a bad place.

"I take responsibility for it. It's below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United and it's not good enough by far. We have to put it right. It's my team and it's not performing. I have to share it with my players but I am responsible.”

Matthew Cooper