Shamoon Hafez, ` Sport
Former Manchester United manager Rene Meulensteen has been impressed with compatriot Erik ten Hag’s impact at the Red Devils, including handling difficult situations.
Meulensteen told ` Sport: “Ten Hag has been very clear about where he wants to take things. He can’t just implement Ajax’s blueprint because the leagues are chalk and cheese. He had problems to clarify, like Cristiano Ronaldo situation and he has clarity now. He now has to sort out Harry Maguire because it seems he favors other staff. If that’s the case, don’t let him hang around for too long.
“At the moment it’s backed by results, not necessarily performances, there’s still a weak point there. However, losing in 18 games is a great run and they’re creeping up nicely in the table. Liverpool have a lot of media attention and Chelsea who aren’t playing well and Arsenal who are so United have slipped under the radar a little bit, they’re in a good position and next up is Manchester City, a strong game, Ten Hag will be happy but they are not there yet.”
Meulensteen worked as United’s first-team manager between 2007 and 2013 under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
“In any team you have to have discipline throughout,” he added. “At our time there was no question because Sir Alex set the rules and they were very clear to everyone including timekeeping, values, how you behave towards yourself and towards other staff.”
Meulensteen revealed he could have worked under Ten Hag at Ajax after receiving a call from Edwin van der Sar, the Eredivisie club’s chief executive.
“I told Edwin he’s the world champion at contacting me at the wrong time,” he said. “I had already given my word to work for Australia so I couldn’t go back on that.”
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