Ten Hag building the right blocks but too soon to declare Man Utd are back, says Cole

By Sports Desk February 28, 2023

Erik ten Hag is putting in the right building blocks to get Manchester United challenging for the biggest honours once again but it is too soon to declare the Red Devils are back, says Andrew Cole.

United earned their first piece of major silverware in six years by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in Sunday's EFL Cup final at Wembley, with first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford enough to seal victory.

It is the latest tick in a first season of positives under Ten Hag, whose side still harbour trophy ambitions in the FA Cup and Europa League, while a Premier League title charge is not out of the question, albeit they trail leaders Arsenal by eight points.

Red Devils legend Cole, part of the famous 1999 treble-winning United side, acknowledged the upward trajectory Ten Hag has the club on but cautioned there is still a long way to go to bridge the gap to rivals Manchester City, who have won the title in four of the past five seasons and are only two points adrift of the Gunners this time around.

"We need to remember a lot of teams [used to] disregard the League Cup, now the League Cup has become a big competition," Cole told Stats Perform.

"I'm very, very happy obviously we won the League Cup and with Ten Hag, but let's put things into perspective here, it's his first season. We've got to be very honest, we know there's a big gap between ourselves and Manchester City.

"We can talk about at the present moment there's only five points difference but if we look at the whole of the last few seasons we've not been close. 

"So, I'm not going to look at this year and say 'we're back'. It's fantastic that we've had the opportunity to win the cup, but I think we're still a little bit away. If we keep improving like we are at the moment it won't be too much longer."

Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for United, believes the EFL Cup triumph is only part of the process to getting the club challenging regularly for league titles once again.

"I was sitting here watching the game and hoping that this is the start of something new," he added.

"To win the league you've got to be the best team for 38 games. So that's the process, that takes time, that's not going to take you one or two years, it's going to take a little bit longer. 

"If you look at for instance, Manchester City, they've won the League Cup numerous times, then they've gone on to win the league numerous times. 

"I think he's [Ten Hag] building blocks. If you look at his building blocks, obviously Manchester United are in a position where they've won the League Cup. But let's build on that. Get from now to the end of the season finished in the Champions League spot. And then you go next season. 

"I'm not going to sit and say Manchester United are going to win the league next season. I know how difficult that's going to be. Just because we won the League Cup this season I don't believe we're going to win the Premier League next season by 15 points. No, it doesn't quite happen like that, everything is a process."

United have had plenty of false dawns since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all ultimately falling short in their attempts to restore past glories – even though the two former coaches did win trophies.

Cole believes Ten Hag can lean on Ferguson for advice but ultimately step out of his shadow.

"I think with Ten Hag we all know he's got a pinch on the game and how he wants to run the football club, he's very good with discipline," he said.

"From the outside looking in, I could say possibly that's what Ten Hag is doing at Manchester United - leaning on Sir Alex Ferguson for his knowledge. 

"But at some stage you're going to look at things and address things in a totally different way. So, I think to take it on board that Sir Alex Ferguson is there and he's going to be there period.

"There's no point to try to fight against him because I think when people try and fight against it then it seems to cause more problems than anything else, it seems like they've got a very good relationship which is only a positive thing."

Related items

  • Emma Hayes: Chelsea not overthinking semi-final against ‘world-class’ Barcelona Emma Hayes: Chelsea not overthinking semi-final against ‘world-class’ Barcelona

    Emma Hayes insists Chelsea have not overanalysed “world-class” Barcelona ahead of their Champions League clash on Saturday.

    Chelsea have travelled to Catalonia for the first leg of their semi-final 12 months on from the two clubs meeting at the same stage of the competition.

    Barcelona prevailed 2-1 on aggregate on that occasion before overcoming Wolfsburg in Eindhoven to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.

    Chelsea boss Hayes, speaking ahead ahead of this weekend’s first leg at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, said: “Barcelona have been the top team in Europe in recent years.

    “Results have suggested that, they are world champions and European champions, but this is a football match and there’s two legs.

    “Our job is to get ourselves in a position where we can come here and give them competition.

    “You have to be in it to compete for it and you know that you’re going to face a team like Barcelona at some stage, and it happens to be at the semi-finals.

    “We understand the team, we understand the opponent, and we respect them. They are world class and have unbelievable players.

    “We’ve had a game Wednesday and we’ve only had the one training session today (Friday) so we’re not overthinking or overanalysing anything.”

    Chelsea have never won the Women’s Champions League with their best performance being a final appearance in 2021 when Barcelona thrashed them 4-0.

    Arsenal are the only English club to win the trophy, a distant 17 years ago in 2007.

    “We just have to keep building on our experiences in Europe,” said Hayes. “No player needs motivation to play this game.

    “Next week we get a little more time together on the grass to work on things between the two games, based on the learnings.

    “For this game we have to keep doing the good things that we’ve been doing throughout Europe this year.”

    Chelsea have received a double boost with England pair Millie Bright and Lauren James available for selection.

    Club captain Bright has not played since November because of a knee injury, while James sat out Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.

    Hayes said: “I always come from a tactical perspective, first and foremost, from what the needs are for that game.

    “Of course, when you play three games directly after an international break, within a seven-day period, you have to utilise the squad.

    “We certainly know that no matter the team we put out, we’re highly competitive and Wednesday demonstrated that. So many players came in and added much-needed energy.

    “It’s not just the personnel, it’s about structures.

    “When you’re playing against an opponent who’s going to have over 70 per cent of the ball, they’re going to have control of the ball and the game in that regard, how you defend spaces is important.”

    Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.

    Berger, 33, made 114 appearances in five years at Chelsea and leaves the club having won four WSL titles, three FA Cups, two Conti Cups, one Community Shield and a Golden Glove.

  • Man Utd appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director after leaving Southampton Man Utd appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director after leaving Southampton

    Jason Wilcox has left Southampton to become Manchester United’s new technical director with immediate effect.

    The 53-year-old becomes a key appointment at Old Trafford as part of United’s off-field overhaul following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at the club.

    Wilcox joined Championship side Southampton last summer as their director of football, making the switch from Manchester City where he developed a reputation for nurturing excellent young talent as well as recruiting some of the best prospects in the game.

    A United statement read: “Jason Wilcox has joined Manchester United as technical director with immediate effect.

    “He will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance.

    “Jason was previously director of football at Southampton and before that academy director at Manchester City.

    “As a player he won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995.”

    A Saints statement read: “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has reluctantly agreed to allow director of football Jason Wilcox to join Manchester United, having reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee.

    “Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future.”

    John Murtough stepped down as football director at Old Trafford last week.

    United are looking to add Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth to their staff as Ratcliffe continues his off-field rebuild after taking a 27.7 per cent stake in the club.

    Wilcox will report to the sporting director, who will have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations.

    The PA news agency understands Darren Fletcher will continue to play a key role in the football leadership team working across the men’s first team and academy.

  • Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United

    England defender Maya Le Tissier has signed a new contract extension at Manchester United.

    The centre-back joined United from Women’s Super League rivals Brighton in July 2022 and has gone on to make 59 appearances.

    Her existing contract was due to expire next year but she has pledged her future to United, with the length of the deal not disclosed.

    “I’m really happy to sign a contract extension with this great club and look forward to ending the season strong, while continuing to build for the future,” the 22-year-old said on www.manutd.com.

    “A big thank you to all our fantastic fans for their great support since I joined, and I’m excited for many more winning moments together.”

    Le Tissier, capped three times by England, was an ever-present last season as United reached a maiden FA Cup final and finished second in the WSL to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

    She has not missed a game in any competition this season and was last week instrumental in repelling Chelsea as United claimed a shock win to reach the FA Cup final for the second successive campaign.

    “Maya has become a real fixture of our team,” United head coach Marc Skinner said. “For her to be playing every single minute like she has, is testament to her.

    “We want to make Maya a key feature of our team for many years to come. Maya’s a leader and everybody at the club should be proud that she’s decided to sign for us long term.

    “She has the right mentality and the right attitude – and is a perfect role model for the next generation. We look forward to working with her for many winning years to come.”

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.