Erik Ten Hag Has Manchester United Fans Believing Once More

It might not have been the prettiest of football games that Manchester United fans have enjoyed this season, but it was the most satisfying.

A 2-0 win against Newcastle United at Wembley to claim their first piece of silverware for six years, as well as signifying the new reign of Erik Ten Hag.

Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford sealed the match, two of which had outstanding performances that enabled the Red Devils to come away with the Carabao Cup.

It had been asked that, although Manchester United were in a rich vein of form, could they go one further and lift a trophy at the first time of asking. Well, that question has been well and truly answered by Ten Hag and his players – and rather convincingly.

Coming in as the favourites, Manchester United were under considerable pressure throughout. Not only from the occasion, but also the plethora of Newcastle fans who made the trip down to North London.

If Man United had failed in delivering the trophy, an inquiry would have been set out as to why. The pressure would have continue to increase with every step Ten Hag took until he finally would have got his hands on a trophy. However, all of that pressure has now been alleviated and let out.

For all of Ten Hag’s attributes, perhaps the most important one of all is his in-game management. The ability to recognise what his teams needs, and more importantly, when, is so crucial and gives him a considerable edge.

By taking off Diogo Dalot at half-time, who was on a yellow card and getting beaten down the right-hand side by Allan Saint-Maximin on a number of occasions, and bringing Aaron Wan-Bissaka on, signalled just how well he knew his team and his understanding of the game.

Wan-Bissaka – who has endured tough times at Old Trafford – put in another masterpiece of a performance for those 45 minutes and came away with the most tackles recorded in the whole match. His resurgence under Ten Hag has been incredible, just as it has been with the majority of the squad who had considerably underperformed for years.

Perhaps most pleasing of all for Manchester United fans is the pure sense of belief; a feeling that had escaped them for a decade. But now, they have a manager that truly understands the club, the game, and his players, and wants to continue on this road of self improvement.

Manchester United might have won their first piece of silverware at the first time of asking, but there is plenty more to come from the evidence shown.