Erik ten Hag could make bold Manchester United goalkeeping decision
When Erik ten Hag takes over at Manchester United at the end of the season, he will have to make a huge decision in the goalkeeping department. Last Monday, the current Ajax manager signed a three-year contract extension with an option for another year.
Ten Hag has promised an appealing style of play, fluid formations, and persistent pressing, which will be a different style of play than United has been used to recently. Ajax, Ten Hag’s current club, is on course to win their third league title in four seasons.
Playing out from the back is a significant component of the present Premier League, as well as Ten Hag’s style. When he takes over at Old Trafford, he may have to make a difficult decision in this area.
When Erik ten Hag takes over at Manchester United at the end of the season, he will have to make a huge decision in the goalkeeping department. Last Monday, the current Ajax manager signed a three-year contract extension with an option for another year.
Ten Hag has promised an appealing style of play, fluid formations, and persistent pressing, which will be a different style of play than United has been used to recently. Ajax, Ten Hag’s current club, is on course to win their third league title in four seasons.
Playing out from the back is a significant component of the present Premier League, as well as Ten Hag’s style. When he takes over at Old Trafford, he may have to make a difficult decision in this area.
With the evolution of this style of the goalie, Ten Hag may want his keeper to place himself high up the pitch when in position — as Ederson did at City — to help with distributing the ball and preserving control.
De Gea has a pass completion rate of 69% this season, while Ederson has an 88% pass completion rate. In addition, Ederson has made more passes, made more headed clearances, and had more touches of the ball.
Ten Hag also has another goalkeeping problem in the form of Dean Henderson. The 25-year-old is a lifelong United supporter who has been widely predicted to succeed De Gea as the club’s No.1. However, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, making only three appearances this season, none of which have come in the league.
Between 2018 and 2020, he had two highly successful loan spells at Sheffield United, helping the Blades get promotion to the Premier League and then finishing in the ninth position, winning the club’s young player of the year title.
Henderson will not want to spend another year playing second fiddle to another goalkeeper, thus he will most likely search for a loan or permanent move somewhere for next season. The stumbling block is that Ajax expressed interest in loaning Henderson out in January, but Ralf Rangnick wanted to keep his No. 2 at the club.
United is currently experiencing a dreadful season and will need a lot of effort both on and off the field to turn things around, with Rangnick comparing it to “open-heart surgery” prior to Saturday’s defeat against Arsenal.
The goalkeeping issue is unquestionably one of the most important decisions to be made. There’s a chance Ten Hag will choose Henderson or sign a new goalie.
