Posted: 09:39, 12 August 2022 | Updated: 10:58, August 12, 2022
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly ignored warnings not to talk about his side’s chances of success this season.
According to a report from ESPN, there was a feeling within the team that some public comments made by previous interim manager Ralph Rangnick about the team “affected” the players after their miserable season.
It added that Ten Hag took no time to distance himself from the German’s harsh assessment of the squad, which included the squad needing “open heart surgery” this summer.
United chiefs were keen for Ten Haag to lower expectations after their worst ever Premier League season, although the 52-year-old felt it was important to improve confidence within the squad.
Erik ten Hag has been warned by Manchester United chiefs to temper expectations ahead of his first season in charge
Ralf Rangnick has been candid about the issues surrounding his United squad ahead of his departure
The former Ajax boss spoke about the players he inherited – which saw United finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League.
But despite his public praise for the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay, he is said to be well aware behind the scenes that they could struggle without further reinforcements.
Rangnick was initially contracted to stay on as a consultant after his tenure as boss ended, but eventually left the club by mutual consent at the end of last season.
Before leaving United, the current Austria boss pulled no punches when it came to assessing the scale of the issues surrounding the squad.
He said: “For me it’s not enough to do some minor tweaks, some minor issues here and there and a few cosmetic things.
“In medicine, you’d say it’s open-heart surgery. There are more things that need to be changed than a few small things here and a few minor things there.’
Denmark international Christian Eriksen has completed a move to Old Trafford this summer
United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club remains in doubt after he asked to leave
Although Ten Hag brought in the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen in a bid to bolster his depth of options for his maiden season at Old Trafford, the club remain embroiled in a number of ongoing transfers.
Frenkie de Jong, who was named as the Ten Hag’s top target ahead of the current transfer window, is set to make a shock move to Chelsea, while a deal for Adrien Rabiot appears to have hit an impasse over personal terms .
Meanwhile, United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has made clear his intentions to leave the club this summer after failing to secure Champions League football, despite United yet to receive a credible bid for him 37 years old.
United started the season with a 2-1 defeat at Brighton – suggesting the Dutchman has a tall task at hand to turn the tide at Old Trafford.
They will look to bounce back with a win against Brentford at the weekend, before a huge challenge against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
