Jamie Redknapp says Erik ten Hag has ‘answered a lot of questions’ during his first season at United and insists the Dutchman can be ‘trusted’… while Gary Neville praises him for ‘making great strides despite poor recruitment’
- Man United beat Chelsea 4-1 to secure Champions League football next season
- Redknapp says Ten Hag has ‘answered a lot of questions’ during his first season
- He says Ten Hag is ‘in control’ and that he can be ‘trusted’ to sign new players
Jamie Redknapp credits Erik ten Hag with having a ‘positive’ impact on Manchester United football club and backs the Dutchman to close the gap between the Red Devils and Manchester City.
Redknapp says Ten Hag has ‘answered a lot of questions’ during his first season in charge after joining the Premier League side in April 2022. He also credited Ten Hag with stamping his authority on the club.
Redknapp says Ten Hag is ‘in control of Manchester United football club’ and that he can be ‘trusted’ to sign new players after securing Champions League football for the 2023-2024 campaign.
The Dutchman guided Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday evening. The victory over Frank Lampard’s side secured United a spot in the Champions League for next season.
Gary Neville shared Redknapp’s sentiments after the game, claiming Ten Hag has made great strides at the club despite having ‘substantial issues, poor recruitment and leadership issues’.
Jamie Redknapp credits Erik ten Hag with having a ‘positive’ impact on Manchester United
Manchester United beat Chelsea 4-1 on Thursday evening to secure Champions League football next season and Redknapp says Ten Hag is responsible for their success
Gary Neville (right) shared Redknapp’s (left) sentiments after the game, claiming Ten Hag has made great strides at the club despite having ‘substantial issues and poor recruitment’
Speaking after the game on Thursday evening, Redknapp said: ‘You’ve got Champions League football, won the League Cup and still have the FA Cup final to go. If you had said that to Erik ten Hag at the start of the year [he would have been happy]. They’ve answered a lot of questions.
‘There’s been a few moments. The loss to Liverpool. But all in all it’s been a positive season. I see a manger who is in control of this football club. You can trust him, he’ll get players in. There is no reason why they can’t bridge that gap.’
Redknapp finished by saying: ‘Are they [Manchester United] ready to take on Manchester City right now? I don’t think so. But in a one-off cup final it is possible. It won’t be easy.’
Neville added: ‘It’s a good step for Erik ten Hag. He’s got a trophy in the bank, Champions League secured and an FA Cup final still to come.
‘He has had substantial issues, poor recruitment, leadership issues, other issues on and off the pitch but he has come through and delivered a decent season for Man United in his first season.
‘Now the decision is about which players he thinks can take him forward so United can get close to Manchester City, because at the moment the levels have dropped to where you think Champions League football is still a good season.’
Redknapp says Ten Hag can be trusted to sign the right players to enhance the United squad
Redknapp was just as complimentary when it came to speaking about Casemiro’s impact at Manchester United. He said: ‘Out of all the attributes we thought he would bring one wasn’t the goals.
‘At Real Madrid, his main attribute was to put out fires. We didn’t see that [goal scoring] coming. He has chipped in with some really important goals, he has changed the culture’.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agreed with Redknapp, adding: ‘I think coming from Real Madrid to here, how he gets into the dressing room, everyone looking at him, he has won so many Champions Leagues, he comes a s a big man and plays as a big man.
‘He’s had a few red cards but it shows he is a proper leader on the pitch. I can only imagine the lift he gives players in the dressing room. Big player.’
