Erik ten Hag expressed his desire to prevent other players from being disheartened by the experiences of Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho at Manchester United. According to Ten Hag, confidence plays a crucial role, and he highlighted the challenges of playing in the demanding Premier League, especially at a high-pressure club like Manchester United. He emphasized that while the league is tough, having self-assurance makes it the best challenge, and Manchester United is an excellent club to be a part of. Ten Hag acknowledged that the ability to cope varies from player to player and depends significantly on the player’s character and personality.
Looking at the broader perspective, Donny van de Beek, who had a stellar season with Ajax before joining Manchester United in 2020, faced challenges in fulfilling expectations. After an unfulfilling stint, he has now embarked on a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt to revive his career.
As Manchester United enters the new year, Ten Hag aims to leave behind a challenging period and looks forward to a fresh start, beginning with an FA Cup third-round match against Wigan Athletic on Monday.