This will set him up somewhat for one of the Premier League’s signature games which once again promises to be a blockbuster. Like many others, Ten Haag was overwhelmed by those epic meetings in the 2000s between Manchester United and Arsenal, which meet live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday. “Top games, great history between the two clubs, both with incredibly good players and good managers, but now it’s Sunday, it’s new, we have to build a future,” Ten Hag tells Sky Sports News. So who was he cheering for in those days? Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Ahead of Manchester United’s Super Sunday clash with Arsenal, we look back at a classic encounter between them from 2008, where a free-kick from Owen Hargreaves gave the Red Devils a crucial win. “My team in England has always been Manchester United, I’ve always supported that club, from the past I’ve loved watching (David) Beckham, (Paul) Scholes, (Rio) Ferdinand and (Ryan) Giggs, I’ve always loved them” . What if he only had to pick one. Would it be Team Vieira or Team Keane? Laughs. “That’s clear, no doubt. Kin.” No real surprise, then, where his faith lies when it comes to the manager. “What (Arsene) Wenger did at Arsenal was great, I really respect his philosophy, but Fergie built all that.” Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow still looms, but Ten Haag will not let him define his era at this football club. Image: Ten Haag wants to put his own stamp on Manchester United “I’m talking to him and we’re happy with it, so are his advisers, we’re grateful, but now we have to build a new future, that’s also clear,” the Dutchman said. Recent weeks have given him an indication of how intense the scrutiny will be as he rebuilds the club. “Have you enjoyed your first 100 days?” I’m asking. “Is it everything you dreamed of?” He smiles: “I’m not that much of a dreamer, I’m more of a reality, and I knew it was a big challenge and hard work. I was so busy that I didn’t notice that 100 days have passed, but that’s a good sign. “What I do is a football process. I love managing it on and off the pitch. I really enjoy it, it excites me and it challenges me and it’s good to have that experience.” Image: Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Manchester United as a second-half substitute at Leicester Process is a word that comes up a lot during our interview—it’s defined as “a series of actions taken to achieve something,” and Ten Hag is already busy in the action department. He dropped Harry Maguire as captain and made it clear to Cristiano Ronaldo that he must fit his vision for the club and not the other way around. “I’m emotional when I make decisions, I use intuition and emotions, but they have to be logical and strategic if you want to go in the direction Manchester United want to go and we all have to be on the same page. he said. “I have to be clinical and ask what is best for the club and the team and what is the process and improve. I have to be transparent and clear and communicate.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Ten Haag comments on his team’s morale after Leicester’s 1-0 win and also reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo staying at Manchester United I ask how that message was received and if he would have any concerns about using him in the big games. “He showed it last year and not too long ago, so now he has to fit into our way of playing, if he does, he will decide games because of his ability.” Ronaldo is just one of the irresistible sidekicks this game often brings out. Another is whether Antony, who finally arrived from Ajax to reunite with his former manager this week at a cost of £86m, will start and with it begin to prove he can live with the pressure of being one of United and Premier League. more accurate signatures. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Ten Haag believes the clash with top-of-the-table Arsenal will be a big test for Manchester United after recording a third straight win at Leicester. Ten Haag has no doubts. “He can deal with it. He lives for football and enjoys it. He has already proven that he has played in the Champions League, the Brazilian National Team and an Olympic gold medalist. “He will bring temperament and creativity. Also for him it is a new start and he has to adapt to the team, the Premier League and the high intensity, but I am sure he will adapt.” Antony, along with another former Ajax player, Lisandro Martinez, was part of a summer spending spree of more than £200m by the Ten Hag as he looks to build his squad in a very different way to the one he shaped at Ajax. Does he feel under pressure given the money spent? How did you feel about spending over £200 million? “It’s a lot of money,” he admits but again points to the process. “It’s part of that and something we have to do to stay competitive. We have a squad with potential with good players now and now we have to build a squad.” Sunday 4 September 16:00 Start 16:30 This team may well feature another of those new faces on Sunday in Casemiro from the start. Is he ready to be unleashed on Arsenal? “I think so,” says Ten Haag. “He’s used to playing big games.” That’s exactly what it promises to be. Ten Haag knows how tough the opposition will be as Arsenal enjoy something of a renaissance with five wins from five in the league this season traveling to Old Trafford. Unlike some of these classic battles, there is no title at stake, but both the Ten Hag and Mikel Arteta will know a lot more about where their squad rebuilds stand next Sunday night.
