A day after Erik ten Hag had gone on the attack over reports of his demise, his Manchester United players used their own sense of injustice to fuel a fightback that will have greater influence over the narrative at Old Trafford.
A manager under scrutiny is entitled to counter-punch and in his press conference ahead of facing Brentford, Ten Hag accused journalists of writing fairytales about his future. Equating the press pack to Hans Christian Andersen is a sure-fire way to endear the fanbase and having been questioned for much of his reign, Ten Hag doubtless feels he has to project total strength in crucial moments.
Words only go so far, though. Results are what will dictate the reality of Ten Hag’s tenure.
Beating Thomas Frank’s side was a start but it did not come without jeopardy. Indeed, at its core was an episode of gore that imbued Ten Hag and his players with a burning desire to turn things around. That it featured one of Ten Hag’s key signings, whose leadership origin story dates back to their Ajax days, only heightened the drama.
Early in the game, Matthijs de Ligt took a novel approach to defending by planting his head into Kevin Schade’s knee as the ball bounced outside the area. Blood pouring down his face like an early Halloween costume, De Ligt was forced to the sidelines for treatment as the game continued.
United’s medics chose to stem the bleeding with a jelly-like substance rather than wrap a bandage around the Dutchman’s head due to the awkward position of the cut. But into first-half added time, referee Sam Barrott ushered De Ligt off again as the wound reopened. Rules ban players continuing with bloody gashes.
De Ligt returned, only to be directed off again by Barrott when Brentford won a corner in the final seconds before the break. De Ligt flapped his arms in irritation and then, as he was being tended to, watched as Ethan Pinnock escaped Diogo Dalot to head in the opening goal. De Ligt swivelled and booted one of the multi ball — replacement match balls readied to allow quicker restarts of play — into the advertising boards.
Afterwards, Ten Hag said: “It was dry blood, so he was already treated for the injury. I didn’t understand why he was sent off. A huge moment because Brentford is very good at corners and you miss one of your best headers of the ball.”
Viscosity was not a consideration for Barrott but United complained at the timing and circumstance of the official’s implementation of the rules. Ruud van Nistelrooy strode down the touchline to confront fourth official Gavin Ward. Ten Hag directed his anger that way too. Both manager and assistant received cautions from Barrott in response.
“Definitely we were mad and angry at half-time,” said Ten Hag afterwards. “We felt some injustice and used it as fuel.”
Blame for the concession could of course go to United’s defending of Mikkel Damsgaard’s corner, or the physios for failing to stop the bleeding, or Ten Hag for declining to replace De Ligt. Victor Lindelof immediately got ready to come on when De Ligt initially went down, but Ten Hag was told by his compatriot that he could continue.
There is trust between them since Ten Hag made De Ligt his captain aged 18 in an intriguing manner. The pivotal date is March 4, 2018, as Ajax travelled to Vitesse Arnhem needing to win to keep up feint hopes of catching PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie title race. Ten Hag had taken over that January, winning five matches and drawing two others.
But tasted his first Ajax loss at Vitesse, who had a young Mason Mount playing for them on loan from Chelsea. As people began to drift into the Ajax changing room following the 3-2 defeat, several players talked about what had gone against them. They complained about the officiating, which they felt had been skewed towards the hosts. Some pointed out the pitch was awkward to play on. Others felt the weather had been detrimental to their style.
Then De Ligt entered and he did not like what he was hearing. Despite his teenage years, he told his older team-mates to stop blaming other factors and instead look at their own performances, as he would do. He said the only way Ajax would become champions is by improving individually and collectively, rather than pointing fingers.
De Ligt had broken into the side the previous season and started the Europa League final as a 17-year-old, so had some status, but this was still a bold move given his age. Ten Hag was greatly impressed by what he considered to be a winning mentality and had an idea.
The next day, having slept on it, he told his coaches that he was going to make De Ligt captain of Ajax, feeling his unflinching attitude should be recognised. During that morning’s training session, the manager informed his squad.
Six days later, De Ligt led Ajax out at Johan Cruyff Arena for the visit of Heerenveen and opened the scoring with a header after winning the ball in midfield and continuing his run into the box to meet a floated pass by Hakim Ziyech. Ajax went on to win 4-1, although they ultimately lost the title race to PSV.
The next season was one of the best in Ajax’s modern history. They won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, knocking out Real Madrid and Juventus along the way and playing thrilling football.
De Ligt’s start to his United career has been somewhat chequered. He scored at Southampton, ghosting into the box as he had done on his first game as Ajax captain, but had such a chaotic performance at Porto that Ten Hag felt compelled to take him out of the starting line-up at Aston Villa.
De Ligt’s injury against Brentford was the result of once again engaging early with a situation and being a split-second late.
But his determination to stay on is an echo of what Ten Hag saw six years ago and De Ligt did his bit after the break. Late on, his aggressive approach won United the ball on the wing and he carried possession down the touchline where he had earlier shown such fury, eventually crossing so that Alejandro Garnacho could test Mark Flekken with a shot.
By that stage, Garnacho’s volley from Marcus Rashford’s brilliant cross and Rasmus Hojlund’s deft finish from a Bruno Fernandes flicked assist had swung the points United’s way. They had come out flying at the restart, proof that these players are still trying for their manager — even those who have experienced friction at times. Rashford was energised in and out of possession, and could have had at least three more assists. Casemiro had a very good game.
Ten Hag’s choices paid off, too. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were starting their first Premier League game alongside Fernandes since September 2023 — when United lost 3-1 to Brighton — but here, the partnership worked. Lisandro Martinez was near faultless at left-back.
Match-going fans have largely stayed with Ten Hag and his team as well. Hundreds remained afterwards outside Old Trafford for photos. De Ligt, once fully cleaned up, was one of those who obliged.
The big caveat is that Ten Hag needs these performances on a consistent basis against the best teams. Only then will his relationship with United truly have hope of ending happily ever after.
(Top photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
