‘I’m not happy with what I see’, warns Dutch legend as he slams Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd transfers
RAFAEL VAN DER VAART has criticised Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s transfer business at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag, 54, has signed 21 players that cost a whopping total of £611million during his two-year stint as United manager.
The Dutchman has landed four compatriots in Tyrel Malacia, Wout Weghorst, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt who cost a total of £98.7m.
He also brought in five players that used to compete under him at Ajax in Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Antony and De Ligt who cost a staggering 251.4m.
Van der Vaart, 41, is “not the biggest fan” of that strategy because that brings even higher pressure to the manager when results don’t go his way.
And United‘s performances haven’t improved under the Dutch tactician, who already counts two losses in three Premier League matches this season after the opening victory over Fulham.
Ten Hag has found himself under fire again and the ex-Tottenham star believes his compatriot will only “survive” at the helm if he gets on a winning run after the international break.
Van der Vaart told SunSport: “Yes, it’s tough, I think, he’s been there a few years and really spent a lot of money for his own players, which I don’t really like.
“When you as a coach, you bring a lot of Dutch people in or players, I am not the biggest fan of that because when you lose a few times then the pressure is even higher, and the football is also not really getting better.
“I saw them against Liverpool, and that, of course, it’s a tough pill to swallow because it’s like the biggest game – like the North London Derby – and you lose without a chance.
“Now he needs a lot of wins. Then he will survive but we will have to wait and see.”
Van der Vaart is especially concerned with De Ligt’s move to Old Trafford as he is “disappointed” with recent performances.
The ex-Real Madrid star always thought the centre-back is a “top player” but also considered him to be a “wild” defender when he went for tackles during his time at Ajax under Ten Hag.
After stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich, the Netherlands legend is “not happy” with De Ligt’s development as he still notices some similar flaws.
Van der Vaart said when asked if De Ligt is the answer to United’s defensive woes: “A few years ago I would say 100 per cent but when he left Ajax , I have to say, I’m a little bit disappointed in his development.
“So I think he is quality. He’s fantastic. He’s a great guy. Works hard for your team, the best, top player but he makes too many mistakes. You also need a little bit of luck, and he is in the phase now that he’s really unlucky. And then he’s a little bit wild.
“He was a little bit too wild [at Ajax]. So that means, going into tackles.And you think, ‘Hey, stay relaxed. Just look how the situation ends’.
“And he went to Italy. Then I found out there he’s gonna learn how to defend. But I’m not happy with what I see.”
Players ‘don’t look happy’
Van der Vaart is adamant it is very hard for any manager to follow up Sir Alex Ferguson‘s trophy-laden 27-year spell at United.
However, the former midfielder insists there is still “no energy” at the Red Devils and players “don’t look happy” when they’re playing.
Van der Vaart added: “Sometimes it’s difficult to replace the coach who really fits to the culture and everything. And Ferguson was, of course, there for so many years. And he’s also a lot of the times in the stadium, so he never left and that sometimes maybe is difficult.
“And the manager struggles with the pressure. But they have good players. They spent a lot of money, but somehow, inside the team, inside the club, it doesn’t work and it’s difficult to say something about that from the outside.
“But also, when they play they don’t look happy. It’s not like they are, ‘Oh, nice. We have another game. We’re gonna kill it’. No, it’s all, ‘Oh, s**t, we have to go again’. No energy.”
Rafael van der Vaart was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by predicting Premier League scores at https://www.betmgm.co.uk. BeGambleAware 18+
Erik ten Hag's Man Utd signings
Here's the full list of all the Manchester United signings that have taken place under manager Erik ten Hag:
- Antony – £85m
- Rasmus Hojlund – £72m
- Casemiro – £70m
- Mason Mount – £60m
- Lisandro Martinez – £57m (Further £2.2m in solidarity payments to Martinez’s former clubs)
- Leny Yoro – £52m (plus £6m in add-ons)
- Manuel Ugarte – £50.8
- Andre Onana – £47.2m
- Matthijs de Ligt – £43m
- Joshua Zirkzee – £36m
- Noussair Mazraoui – £17m
- Tyrell Malacia – £14.6m
- Altay Bayindir – £4.3m
- Christian Eriksen – Free
- Jonny Evans – Free
- Sofyan Amrabat – Loan (£8.5m)
- Sergio Reguilon – Loan (No fee)
- Marcel Sabitzer – Loan (Undisclosed or No fee)
- Wout Weghorst – Loan (£2.5m compensation to cancel Besiktas loan, £2.6m fee to Burnley)
- Martin Dubravka – Loan (£2m)
- Jack Butland – Loan (Undisclosed or No fee)