Tactician or motivator?

BBC

Mon, 30 Sept 2024, 4:42 am·1-min read

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag reacts after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford — [Getty Images]

Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy believes Erik ten Hag is currently "more of a tactician than a motivator" at Manchester United.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, following the Red Devils' 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Murphy said: "I think he is probably more of a tactician because, from a motivational point of view, we never really see Manchester United play at a real high energy or level.

"I'm talking about players dying for the cause. If you don't do that, the tactics always fall down anyway. You have got to be a motivator first and then the tactics man after."

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones added that Ten Hag's side look like they are "struggling to get into a rhythm and a momentum", after recording two wins and one draw in six Premier League games this season.

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer