As turnarounds go, recent changes at Manchester Football club are turning fans round the bend and showing that just as life does, football always seems to come around full circle.
Not only are the leeches (also apparently known as the Glazer family) finally and openly willing the sell, Erik’s famous quote about eras coming to an end may just be coming true on the football pitch too.
Coming into management at a team somewhat in chaos was no easy task and admittedly Ten Hag didn’t have the best of starts. But as Sir Alex Ferguson once uttered, you need failure to learn, to succeed and perhaps that has always been instilled in our nature. As shown so many times when we’ve had to come back from behind and defeat the odds.
Results at the start of the season aswell as controversies where our now ex player called the boss out directly and put us at the forefront of the media circus we are never too far away from didn’t bode well. But it isn’t in how you start. It’s how you finish. Quite literally… in May!
The newest man at the helm has also already gone down in the history books in a matter of months. Erik ten Hag is the fastest Manchester United manager ever to win 20 games (in 27 matches). And astonishingly, he has already matched the tally of wins Manchester United managed in the whole of last season, with 20 in 49 games. Which is a world away from losing his first two.
I could argue the huge shift since certain people were no longer on the team sheet (or bench or walking down the touchline when they fancied it) but the past isn’t important now. The future is. And for the first time in a long time, it is looking promising.
It has been a decade since we won the Premier League, albeit feeling longer with the ups and quite some downs since that celebration. And the table speaks for itself. Every result is important but the next few are vital and it’s imperative that we keep this momentum, get our heads down and keep the focus.
The scrappy wins fought for are arguably even more important, as last season and prior they would likely have been draws or losses. There really wasn’t that belief that surrounds us now. A group of players who look like they belong together. Happier, more confident and more resilient.
Talking of which, how brilliant is it to see Manchester’s very own Marcus Rashford be in the form he is in at present, with a smile on his face to match and that end product he momentarily struggled with evolving into clinical finishes which seem to come so easy. Showing just how much confidence and self belief can make a difference. And another reason why I think it’s ridiculous to pressure those still settling in or (literally) finding their feet. I still think Jadon Sancho will find his best here and it’s starting to appear now when you look at the bench this is a proper squad, where everyone has their place and gets stuck in when required. On that subject, I have to give credit to Aaron Wan-Bissaka who has well and truly grabbed his chance back on the pitch with both hands. Fair play to him.
It was only last October where Derby day floored us and was a complete embarrassment. Although Antony’s goal was superb and will be remembered, the game itself I would rather forget. Fast forward to now vs Manchester City at Old Trafford and you’ve got a different team on your hands. We can sit here all day and talk about decisions from officials and the offside rule (and I see some still are and won’t stop) but ultimately that’s football. Some days are yours and some aren’t. Talent comes into it, and luck does too. We’ve had our fair share of questionable decisions. But you move on. And regardless of any of that and even the result, the improvement is clear as day for anyone to see.
This isn’t the Manchester United of old. It’s the new Manchester United with a flair of nostalgic never giving up or giving in. It’s the art of Erik’s vision in full play. And one of the best things of all? It’s a team I can see lifting silverware sooner rather than later. And fighting for the title no matter what happens until the last whistle is blown. How long has it been since we can genuinely say that?
The F.A cup, the E.F.L cup and the UEFA Europa League are all still to play for. Realistically too. Not just holding on for dear life. And when this group of players find ourselves back in the Champion’s League, it will just be the cherry on top of more proof that it isn’t how you fall down. It’s how you get up, time and time again. United have always taught me that.
‘I know the history of this great club, the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.’ When Erik said this we could only hope it came to fruition. But he has well and truly matches his actions with words.
We aren’t quite at the promised land yet, but we are well on our way…
It’s always been for the love and not the glory. But success is a bonus second to none. And even better, the Glazers will soon be gone.
[Photo credit: Manchester Evening News].
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