Ten Hag acknowledges style differences between Manchester United and Ajax

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has openly acknowledged that his team will never play the same style of football as his celebrated Ajax side.

Ten Hag took the reins at Old Trafford in May 2022 and was entrusted with a significant transfer budget of £400 million. While he made a name for himself with Ajax by playing an exciting and attacking brand of football, he has faced challenges replicating the same approach at United.

Following United’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Jamie Carragher criticized their style of play, characterizing it as “underdog football” that relies on “counter-attacks and a lot of long balls.”

Ten Hag has now clarified why it’s challenging for the Red Devils to emulate the slick football seen at his former club.

“We will never play that football,” Ten Hag explained during an interview with Viapla. “Because those were different players. This is not why I came here. We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to adapt. The style of play is determined by the players.

“Ajax has a very specific and characteristic playing style, but with Manchester United, I will always showcase a different brand of football. I did the same last year. Our style here is much more direct because it suits the players we have.”