Erik ten Hag could hardly be accused of failing to improve many of the players at his disposal, even though Manchester United may not have progressed as they would have desired over the past 12 months.
When the Dutchman came from Ajax in 2022, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were in the young team.
The FA Cup final victory against rivals Man City last season was won by goals from two players Erik ten Hag helped establish as regulars in the starting lineup, which is a monument to the faith and endurance he has shown in the gems of Manchester United’s Carrington crown.
Coach Ten Hag of Man United has also been pleased by Toby Collyer. After a fantastic preseason, the former Brighton starlet might be the next to secure a berth in the starting lineup.
Under the Dutchman’s guidance, players like Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, and Lisandro Martinez have occasionally displayed their greatest footballing.
Though his time at Old Trafford has been more ups and downs than a weekend at Alton Towers, Ten Hag’s ability to translate promise into output is further demonstrated by the quick rise of Amad Diallo as United’s first-choice right-winger.
Erik ten Hag praises Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United for his ascent.
During those silver-coated days at Ajax, Ten Hag stood out as a potentially world-leading coach because of his capacity to develop good players into outstanding ones.
It also played a significant role in Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co’s decision to stick with the team despite discussions with several potential managers throughout the summer.
Speaking to Man United’s website before Wednesday’s Europa League start with FC Twente, Ten Hag argues that he cannot take all the credit as Noussair Mazraoui grows into an elite-level full-back.
Before getting back together at Man United in mid-August, Ten Hag might have been Mazraoui’s coach in Amsterdam when he first started his career. However, the manager thinks he is dealing with a completely different, much more complete football player these days.
One that, in the upcoming months and years, he believes can develop both on and off the pitch.
Ten Hag says, “I know – or, let’s say, I knew – how good a player he is.” “I believe he has progressed even more during his time in Germany. I had a better player at Ajax than he is now.
“I hope he continues this process because I see incredible and impressive growth in him as a player and as a person.”
Mazraoui is thrilled to see Ten Hag and Matthijs de Ligt together again.
Ten Hag, who signed Mazraoui for just under £13 million, was pleased to see the Dutch-born Moroccan international’s two-footedness and press resistance during his welcome to England last month.
In his first few weeks of playing English football, Mazraoui has also distinguished himself significantly above many of the others because of these qualities.
The 26-year-old has been among the most reliable players throughout, starting each of the team’s five Premier League games thus far.
Mazraoui has nothing but praise for Matthijs de Ligt of Man United and Ten Hag. Given that Mazraoui had previously worked with the Netherlands international centre-half at Bayern and Ajax, both have assisted him in adjusting to life at Old Trafford.
Mazraoui acknowledges that “it made it easier for me to settle down.” “It makes life easier because I came here with Matthijs and I knew some of the players.”
“Always consider whether the manager’s philosophy of the game and your style of play mesh if you decide to go to another team.
“I already knew [Ten Hag]. I was familiar with his perspective on the game, and his playing complemented my style. That is a significant factor. It also helps if you collaborate with him beforehand.
“I was aware of his expectations of me, and he is aware of it from my end as well.”