Ten Hag: Connection with fans key to derby win
Erik ten Hag says that a renewed sense of togetherness between fans and players is helping to turn Old Trafford into a fortress once more.
United have won 10 games in a row at the Theatre of Dreams, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four during that run.
Saturday's epic comeback win against Manchester City in the derby was the latest success for the manager and his side, but the Dutchman believes the atmosphere being created in M16 on matchdays is the secret ingredient.
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“I think one of the goals before the season was to get connection between the fans and players back again,” admitted the boss.
“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.”
United won just 13 home games across the whole of last season, but Ten Hag's refreshed team have already equalled that tally after just 16 games of the 2022/23 campaign.
And Erik says that our home ground, plus that passionate support, was one of the things that enticed him to join the club last year.
“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 United. Today (Saturday) it was great, but all the whole first half of the season was great.”
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The manager was also keen to highlight the strength of our away support.
Even though Old Trafford has hosted many of the standout victories of Ten Hag's tenure thus far – with triumphs against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and City already chalked up – our away form is also healthy, with eight wins from 12 matches.
“Also away, we have to create that fight [that we have at Old Trafford]. There are always many MU fans in every away stadium as well, so we have to build that and to strengthen that togetherness.”
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