Manchester United’s win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in August kickstarted the Erik ten Hag era. After defeats by Brighton and Brentford there was early concern that revitalising the red behemoth was an even bigger task than the Dutchman had anticipated but six months on he is shaping up to be the right man for the job.
The United that steps out at Anfield on Sunday will be unrecognisable from the one that meekly failed to take any points from their opening two Premier League games. Ten Hag has brought back discipline to United, a trait that had eroded away. His first trip to Liverpool will be the biggest test of his side’s mentality. United have not won at Anfield since January 2016 and ending that run would be a huge statement of progress under Ten Hag.
“There was [a lack of discipline] and I don’t have to lie about it,” Ten Hag says. “Top players like structure, not only on the pitch, so you need some rules. I think it’s obvious in every organisation that when there are no rules and no discipline in taking those rules seriously, then you create a mess. That’s not only at a football club. It was quite obvious because I could see on the pitch what was going on.”
One of the key reasons behind United’s toughened mentality is Casemiro. The midfielder is a leader and sets the example for all those around him, a player Ten Hag trusts to do his job precisely and ensure others do likewise. After winning the Carabao Cup last weekend, Casemiro asked Bruno Fernandes why he had failed to play the right pass in the final third with United already 2-0 up late on. When standards are set, they have to be met for 90 minutes.
“When you go to recruitment in the summer, we were looking for players with character, with personality,” Ten Hag says. “It was not only about signing players. A lot of players in the world have great skills from a technical approach, or they can run really fast, but we were looking for players who have character, who have personality, who have leadership, take responsibility, who are resilient. That is the type of players I was looking for after I analysed the squad.”
Ten Hag brought in Lisandro Martínez and Antony from Ajax, players who know what he expects. Those who fall below his exacting standards do not have to wait long to hear about it but this happens infrequently at United these days because individuals are now desperate not to let their teammates down.
This has ensured United have overtaken Liverpool in the short term, leading them by 10 points, a seismic feat considering they finished 34 points behind them last season and lost 9-0 on aggregate in their two league games. The transformation has been revolutionary.
“I had a player in Ajax who set those standards but definitely Casemiro in this team, he is such a leader and so important for us,” Ten Hag says. “Not only with his performances and skills, like scoring goals with his headers, or linking up, or intercepting balls – but his organisation, his mentality, the culture [he projects]. We are so happy that we signed him.”
Casemiro has set the tone and the squad has followed. Marcus Rashford and David de Gea especially have been revitalised after dips in form, showing their leadership on the pitch. Ten Hag adds: “For me it’s always the same, you have players who win, and who win always, and players who lose and are always losing.
“You have to do your research and find the type who will win and who are cooperative in the dressing room, to be humble, but when on the pitch they take responsibility. You can sit on the bench and you are composed because you know the players will do the job and will deal with the situation and bring you the wins.”
Despite Liverpool’s lacklustre campaign they have only lost once at home in the league and a hostile atmosphere is certain to test United’s nerve. The only time Ten Hag has taken a team to Anfield, Ajax played in front of empty stands during the pandemic, so this will be a very different occasion.
Ten Hag is well aware of the history between the clubs, saying it is United’s “biggest rivalry” and what is needed to end the season high in the table. United have guaranteed themselves one trophy, while Liverpool appear unlikely to win silverware or catch Sunday’s opponents in the table.
Ten Hag’s United have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool at home but are yet to defeat a key rival away. “I know what to expect,” Ten Hag says. “I have seen the games between Liverpool and Manchester United, so I know what is going on there. But I have been in many hostile stadiums. This might be the worst. I am really looking forward to it – and I know my players are the same.”
