Erik ten Hag has done what Ralf Rangnick failed to do at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag understands what it takes to succeed at Manchester United.

Success in the Premier League buys you time as a manager. It’s a results-oriented business, and even the smoothest football in the world will not extend your stay if you don’t win football games.

As the full-time whistle blew in the capital in mid-August, the fanbase was filled with dread. Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester, and Arsenal were all waiting for Ten Hag’s team, and statisticians were already looking through the records for United’s worst start to a season.

They didn’t need to bother for one simple reason: Ten Hag understands that adaptation is essential to surviving in the Premier League. Something that his predecessor could not completely grasp.

The less said about Ralf Rangnick’s time at Manchester United, the better. The German left the club after 28 games, with a win rate of just 39%, after a terrible six-month stint.

United’s former interim manager did accept responsibility. He commented before his farewell game in command of the club: “I could have performed better. I expected myself and my coaching staff to be able to develop this team in a more sustainable manner. We couldn’t, and it’s not only the players to blame; we’re also to a fault. We could and should have all done better.”

Rangnick admitted that he had to adjust his intended style of play after only a few games at Manchester because the team was not fit enough to implement a high-intensity pressing method. Recognizing a fault is one thing; successfully correcting it is quite another.

Statisticians who were probably too quick to criticize Ten Hag can consider the difference between the United team this season and last to see how much of an influence the Dutchman has made on his team.

United finished fifth in the Premier League in total passes last season, but are currently 14th this season. They are 17th in terms of touches on the ball, whereas United was the sixth the previous season.

Ten Hag didn’t care how much Mikel Arteta’s side had the ball in the counter-attacking style that saw United overcome Arsenal at Old Trafford. He anticipated that there would be space behind the Gunners’ defense, which Marcus Rashford took full advantage of in the second half.

United has also experienced a decrease in the number of shots taken as a result of this tactical alteration; last season, they had the fifth most shots in the league; this season, they are 16th. Ten Hag did not mind having 39% possession during the game since he understood that was not where the match would be won or lost – his side’s clinical finishing was far more essential, as seen by Arsenal’s shot conversation rate of only 6.25%.

After the two initial defeats, Ten Hag realized that he needed to bend his beliefs in order to gain results.

This is by no means a permanent move, but it is a clear indication that the former Ajax manager is adaptive – a necessary characteristic if he is to not only survive but also succeed at United.