Erik ten Hag’s Influence Evident in Manchester United Youth Team

4 June 2023

“He aims to create a certain mindset among the youth players that is in line with his vision of football.”

Rick Ashcroft serves as the coach of Manchester United. While the club has participated in the Marveld tournament before, it is Ashcroft’s first time, and he describes the experience as fantastic. He particularly commends the quality of the opponents, stating, “At other tournaments, we may face one or two top teams, but here everything is top-notch. We learn a lot from that.” The coach of Manchester United’s U-15 team also highlights the strong team cohesion that developed over the weekend, stating, “In Manchester, our 14- and 15-year-olds follow different programs. However, at the Marveld tournament, we come together as a team for the entire weekend, and it’s wonderful to see how we have truly become one team.”

Rick also acknowledges the influence of Erik ten Hag when he became the head coach of the first team. “He maintains significant contact with the older teams. Our 18 and 19-year-old boys train frequently with the first team, fostering a strong connection.” He mentions that Ten Hag not only maintains a close relationship with the youth players but also with the youth staff, explaining, “He strives to instill a specific mindset among the youth players that aligns with his football philosophy.”

Like many others at the tournament, Ashcroft also praises the excellent organization of the event. They even left shopping bags filled with gifts for the volunteers, which will be distributed at the end of the day.