Erik Ten Hag Explains Why United Don’t Play Like Ajax
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has shed light on why the club hasn’t adopted the possession-based style he implemented at Ajax.
Aiming for the “Ajax Way” at Old Trafford
When Ten Hag arrived at United, there were expectations of a tactical shift away from the counter-attacking approach favored by previous managers. Ajax, Ten Hag’s former club, is renowned for their intricate, possession-dominant style, inspired by the legendary “Total Football” philosophy.
This style has also influenced Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and Louis van Gaal attempted to implement a similar approach during his time at United, briefly pushing their average possession rate from 42% to 58.8%.
Reality Bites: Lack of Personnel Hinders Ten Hag’s Vision
However, this season, United’s matches have been characterized by an openness and a lack of control. Their average possession sits at a modest 50.4%, ranking them 10th in the Premier League – a league that has increasingly embraced possession-based tactics.
In a recent interview with Gary Neville, Ten Hag acknowledged the challenges of replicating the Ajax style at United. He highlighted the importance of having players suited to that specific approach.
"I saw a striker who's already proved himself, who we wanted to sign… we couldn't get him" 👀
Erik Ten Hag reveals he was keen to sign Harry Kane, before his move to Bayern Munich 😯 pic.twitter.com/i2pSGrDLkl
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 3, 2024
“You have to bring in players,” Ten Hag said. “The recruitment needs to focus on players with the assets that fit that style. You can’t take a player who already has a different style and expect to change his nature.”
Frenkie de Jong: The Missing Piece?
Erik Ten Hag specifically mentioned Frenkie de Jong, a player he managed at Ajax, as someone who could have facilitated a more Ajax-like style at United.
“That would have been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro,” Ten Hag explained. “They would have complemented each other perfectly. That’s the kind of player you need for the Ajax style.”
United pursued de Jong heavily last summer but ultimately failed to secure his signature. De Jong remains a key figure at Barcelona, averaging the most passes per game in La Liga (82), compared to United’s top passer Bruno Fernandes (55).
Erik Ten Hag Defends His Record
Despite the lack of possession dominance, Ten Hag defended his team’s performances. He pointed to injuries as a disruptive factor, while acknowledging the need for improvement.
“We’re not where we want to be in terms of playing style,” Ten Hag admitted. “But we’re still proactive, dynamic, and aim for a high line. We’ve made progress, scoring more goals post-winter break and showing more consistency with fewer defeats in 2024. However, too many draws are hindering our progress.”
Ten Hag also noted the challenges of building defensive patterns with frequent changes in the back four.
While de Jong might not be wearing a United shirt, Ten Hag has brought in several players from his Ajax days, including Lisandro Martinez, Antony, and goalkeeper Andre Onana. Whether these players, along with potential summer signings, can help United achieve a more dominant style in the coming season remains to be seen.