Erik ten Hag unique: How Cristiano Ronaldo can nonetheless influence massive video games, Sir Alex Ferguson recommendation and new signing Antony | Soccer Information

Scrutiny, drama, stress, wins, losses and one of many largest stars on this planet wanting to go away. Erik ten Hag has skilled all of it in his first three months as Manchester United supervisor.

That ought to go some method to getting ready him for one of many Premier League’s iconic fixtures that after once more guarantees to be a blockbuster.

Like so many, Ten Hag was gripped by these epic encounters within the 2000s between Manchester United and Arsenal, who meet reside on Sky Sports activities on Tremendous Sunday.

“Prime video games, massive historical past between the 2 golf equipment, each with extremely good gamers and good managers however it’s now about Sunday, it’s new, we’ve to construct a future,” Ten Hag tells Sky Sports activities Information.

So who was he cheering on throughout these days?

“My crew in England was all the time Manchester United, I all the time supported this membership, from the previous I beloved watching (David) Beckham, (Paul) Scholes, (Rio) Ferdinand and (Ryan) Giggs, I all the time favored them.”

What if he had to decide on only one. Would it not be Group Vieira or Group Keane? He laughs. “That is clear, no query. Keane.”

No actual shock then the place his loyalties lie in the case of the supervisor. “What (Arsene) Wenger did at Arsenal was nice, his philosophy I actually respect that, however Fergie constructed all of this.”

Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow nonetheless looms, however Ten Hag is not going to let it outline his period at this soccer membership.

“I converse with him, and we’re proud of that, so are his advisors, we’re grateful however now we’ve to construct a brand new future, that can also be clear,” mentioned the Dutchman.

The previous few weeks have given him a sign of how intense the scrutiny shall be as he rebuilds the membership. “Have you ever loved your first 100 days or so?” I ask. “Is it every thing you dreamed of?”

He smiles: “I’m not such a dreamer, I’m extra the truth, and I knew it was a giant problem and onerous work. I’ve been so busy I did not discover it has been 100 days, however that could be a good sign.

“What I’m doing is a soccer course of. I like to handle that on and in addition off the pitch. I actually get pleasure from it, it excites and challenges me and it’s good to have this expertise.”

Course of is a phrase that comes up lots throughout our interview – outlined as “a collection of actions taken so as to obtain”, and Ten Hag has already been busy within the motion division. He dropped his captain Harry Maguire and made it clear to Cristiano Ronaldo he has to suit into his imaginative and prescient of the membership and never the opposite manner spherical.

“I do have emotion after I make selections, use instinct and emotions however they must be rational and strategic if you wish to go within the route the place Manchester United need to go, and all of us must be on the identical web page,” he mentioned.

“I’ve to be medical and ask what’s the greatest for the membership and the crew and what’s the course of and to enhance. I’ve to be clear and clear and to speak.”

I ask how that message has been obtained, and whether or not he would have any issues about utilizing him within the massive video games.

“He confirmed it final 12 months and never that way back so now he wants to slot in our manner of enjoying, if he does that, he’ll resolve the video games due to his capabilities.”

Ronaldo is simply one of many irresistible sub plots this fixture usually throws up. One other is whether or not Antony, who lastly arrived from Ajax to reunite along with his former supervisor this week at a value of £86m, will begin, and together with it start to show he can reside with the stress of being one among United’s and the Premier League’s costliest signings.

Ten Hag has little doubt. “He can cope with that. He lives for soccer and enjoys it. He has proved himself already he has been within the Champions League, Brazilian nationwide crew and an Olympic gold medalist.

“He’ll deliver temperament and creativity. Additionally for him it’s a new begin and he has to adapt to the crew, to the Premier League and to the excessive depth, however I’m positive he’ll adapt.”

Antony, together with one other former Ajax man Lisandro Martinez, was a part of greater than a £200m summer season spend by Ten Hag as he seems to construct his crew in a really totally different manner than the one he moulded at Ajax.

Does he really feel underneath stress given the cash spent? How did it really feel to spend over £200m? “It’s some huge cash,” he concedes however once more he factors to the method. “It’s a part of that and one thing we’ve to do to stay aggressive. We’ve a squad with potential with good gamers now and now we have to make a crew.”

That crew might effectively embody one other of these new faces on Sunday in Casemiro from the beginning. Is he able to be unleashed on Arsenal? “I believe so,” says Ten Hag. “He’s used to enjoying massive video games.”

Which is strictly what this guarantees to be. Ten Hag is aware of how robust the opponents shall be as Arsenal, having fun with one thing of a renaissance with 5 wins from 5 within the league this season journey to Outdated Trafford.

Not like a few of these traditional battles there isn’t any title at stake however each Ten Hag and Mikel Arteta will know much more about the place their crew rebuilds are at come Sunday night.