When Erik ten Hag danced a jubilant jig on the Wembley field after Manchester United’s League Cup final victory over Newcastle, it was clear that the manager’s romantic idea of the club had blossomed into a full-fledged love affair.
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Ten Hag has made a remarkable impact since leaving Ajax to take charge of United last year and Sunday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle was the latest sign the club is back on track after a turbulent decade.
Casemiro’s header and an own goal from Sven Botman sealed United’s first major trophy since 2017, when they won the Europa League and League Cup under Jose Mourinho.
But the trophy was only secured after keeping Newcastle at bay with a scintillating second-half display that illustrated just how different Ten Hag are.
Less than a year ago, United slumped to sixth place in the Premier League under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Revived by the demanding and disciplined Ten Hag, United have set the stage for a potential return to the sustained success last seen under Alex Ferguson.
While the Ten Hag rules with an iron fist, as he showed when he won the power struggle that forced Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure last year, the Dutchman has an empathetic side that he rarely shows in public.
His emotions were on display as he joined the celebrations at Wembley, linking arms in a passionate dance with Lisandro Martinez and Antony, the United players who know him better than most after his time at Ajax.
“We have a history, both players and I in Amsterdam. We did some dancing and I hope we can do more in the future,” said Ten Hag.
Ten Hag has no intention of letting United’s players rest as he looks to recreate the club’s dynasty years in Ferguson.
“We have to invest and suffer every day in order to win trophies,” said Ten Hag.
“It’s about glory and honor. If you want to win, you have to do it because nobody will bring you silverware in top football.
– ‘Making our own history’ –
When he left his role at Ajax last May, Ten Hag knew that the challenge of leading United out of the slump was fraught with potential pitfalls.
But the chance to manage one of the best clubs in the world is too good to refuse for a football romantic like Ten Hag.
“Maybe there’s a risk, but I’m a bit stubborn. I just love United. When I see the shirt, when I see the fans at Old Trafford, the legacy of Sir Alex with players known all over the world,” he said.
“We want to do the same. This team wants to make its own history, its own legacy. When the opportunity comes I think this is the right opportunity for me. I want to be a part of it.
Ten Hag’s approval rating among United fans was evident in the huge cheers that greeted him lifting the League Cup, while Ferguson also gave the Dutchman his blessing when they met for dinner last week.
“The dinner shows that we are good and shows that he is really involved in the club. We can all learn a lot from what he did for Manchester United. It is an inspiration for all of us,” said Ten Hag.
“It’s certainly an honor to share my thoughts with him, to talk about how you lead the dressing room and the strategy. He was a happy person tonight.
Ten Hag’s only misstep all evening came at the end of the post-match press conference when he almost forgot to take the League Cup trophy with him after bringing it to show the media.
Even then, Ten Hag kept his cool with a wry grin as he joked: “It’s just one cup”.
United fans will be hoping for many more trophies to come thanks to the quiet revolutionary.