Steve McClaren has backed Man Utd’s Dutch-themed transfers under Erik ten Hag (Image: Getty)
Former Manchester United assistant Steve McClaren has backed the influx of former Dutch-based players under Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils boss has favoured signing players he has previously worked with in the Eredivisie.
That approach to the transfer market has had varying levels of success. Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana – both former Ajax stars – have enjoyed success at Old Trafford. But £86million was spent on under-performing winger Antony, who too joined from Ten Hag’s former club.
Summer arrivals Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt also played for Ten Hag in Amsterdam. Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount caught the 54-year-old’s eye during their spells in the Netherlands.
McClaren, who departed United in the summer as part of restructure of the coaching staff, has backed Ten Hag’s Dutch-themed transfers. The former England boss says he also prefers to have a core of players he has previously worked with.
“First, [the players know] the way he wanted to play. Two, the players that were available. Three, knowing he didn’t have a lot of time at United to get things going,” McClaren told the Telegraph.
“[Lisandro] Martínez at the beginning, [it was a case of] are you sure? Yes, he [Ten Hag] was. Because he [Martínez] knows the way Erik wants to play. I have done the same as a manager.
“Going into a club trying to instil something, I always wanted two or three I have worked with previously. You need followers and people who believe in what you are doing. There is a list of five [potential signings] and you pick the one that you know.”
United spent nearly £200m on summer signings, although £100m of that figure was offset by a flurry of departures. Alongside Mazraoui and De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte also arrived at Old Trafford.
Matthijs de Ligt is among the former Ajax players signed by Man Utd under Erik ten Hag (Image: Getty)
Ten Hag endured a tough start to the Premier League season with successive defeats against Brighton and Liverpool among their first three matches. The head coach has since turned his side’s form around, though.
United were unfortunate to not defeat Crystal Palace in their goalless stalemate at Selhurst Park last Saturday. That draw followed a week in which the Red Devils defeated Southampton in the Premier League and then struck seven against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag welcomes former club Twente, where he spent a period working alongside McClaren, in the Europa League tonight.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1953192/steve-mcclaren-erik-ten-hag-man-utd