Erik ten Hag has revealed that he joined Manchester United in order to coach the Red Devils in front of a raucous Old Trafford crowd.
The Dutch coach took the reins at United during the summer and has done a fantastic job thus far, with the club sitting fourth in the Premier League table after 20 games.
Ten Hag’s most impressive result to date came on Saturday when his side came from behind to beat crosstown rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford – winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Speaking after the win to the club’s official website, Ten Hag hailed the atmosphere at Old Trafford during that win and admitted that it was the key reason he wanted to become the club’s manager.
“I think one of the goals before the season was to get connection between the fans and players back again,” Ten Hag said. “If we want to restore this great club, then we have to be [about] togetherness. I think today was an example of to be together, fight together, with the right atmosphere, and when we create the right ambience, it’s really difficult for every opponent to play us.
“We have to do it, of course, here at Old Trafford. That’s why I came here: I wanted to have that experience [of playing for United’s fans and at Old Trafford].
“Before I came, it was one of my arguments to come here to Man Utd.”
Ten Hag was quick to shut down the assertion that United could figure in the title race, however, telling reporters after the game of the club’s strong league position: “It’s ridiculous to talk about titles in January, so don’t do that. We are not even halfway. There is a lot to come. There are a lot of gaps in our game as well that we have to work on.”