{"id":6687,"date":"2024-05-03T07:59:58","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T07:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=6687"},"modified":"2024-05-03T07:59:58","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T07:59:58","slug":"erik-ten-hag-reveals-failed-man-utd-signing-that-blocked-ajax-style-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=6687","title":{"rendered":"Erik ten Hag reveals failed Man Utd signing that blocked Ajax style | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Manchester\n<\/div>

The Dutchman has been criticised for his side\u2019s style of play (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Erik ten Hag has again defended Manchester United\u2019s style of play and explained why he has not been able to replicate \u2018the Ajax way\u2019 at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

When the Dutchman was first brought in nearly two years ago, he was expected to overhaul the counter-attacking, transitional football played by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer \u2013 and which continued under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.<\/p>\n

Ajax are known for playing a more methodical, possession-based style rooted in the Total Football of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, a style which has heavily influenced Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.<\/p>\n

United had already had a taste of it under Louis van Gaal, who quickly transformed the team from a counter-attacking side to one that looked to dominate the ball, going from an average of 42 per cent possession in the season before he joined (which ranked ninth in the Premier League) to 58.8% in his first campaign (which ranked first).<\/p>\n

But this season, United\u2019s matches have been open, end-to-end affairs and the side have had little control, with their 50.4% possession ranking them 10th in a division that has otherwise shifted dramatically towards playing with greater dominance of the ball.<\/p>\n

In an exhaustive interview with Gary Neville on Sky Sports, Ten Hag has now opened up on why he decided against trying to play an Ajax-like brand of football and says it is largely down to the players he had at his disposal \u2013 and the failure to land a key target in his first summer.<\/p>\n

Asked why he felt he could not bring Ajax\u2019s playing style to the United team, Ten Hag explained: \u2018Because then you have to bring in players.<\/p>\n

\u2018So in the recruitment you need the players with those typical assets [that Ajax players have] and you can\u2019t bring a player who is here who has a [different] style of play and I don\u2019t want to change his nature.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Barcelona\n<\/div>

Ten Hag wanted Barca\u2019s midfield metronome Frenkie de Jong (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Probed on whether the signing of Frenkie de Jong in the summer of 2022 would have allowed him to play a brand of football more similar to Ajax\u2019s, Ten Hag agreed and continued: \u2018That would have been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro.<\/p>\n

\u2018They would have been really connected with each other, they would have been really complementary with each other, absolutely. But that is a typical player, if you want to play the Ajax style, you need that type of player, yeah.\u2019<\/p>\n

United were locked in talks with Barcelona for months in an effort to try and sign De Jong but were unable to get a deal over the line.<\/p>\n

The Netherlands international came through the academy at Ajax and made his breakthrough under Ten Hag. This season, De Jong has averaged 82 passes per game, the most in La Liga, and is his side\u2019s heartbeat in midfield, whereas United\u2019s top passer \u2013 Bruno Fernandes \u2013 only averages 55 passes per game.<\/p>\n