Manchester United's Premier League Schedule for 2022/23
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Erik Ten Hag must show "no mercy" to his players, according to a former Manchester United player who witnessed Sir Alex Ferguson injure David Beckham with a football boot. Mikael Silvestre and the rest of the England squad were astonished when Ferguson violently kicked a spare boot at the England captain in 2003, striking him slightly above the eye.
While not proposing that the new Manchester United manager emulate Ferguson's performance, Silvestre believes he must dominate the locker room with the same iron fist as Ferguson did.
At the same time, he believes Ten Hag would benefit from a few behind-the-scenes meetings with his senior players to rally them for what appears to be another difficult season.
"There was a self-discipline, a dynamic, where you understood what your standing was within the dressing room when I was there," the four-time Premier League winner added.
"Additionally, the boss would be the boss." You must assert your authority and ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities both on and off the field.
"When you are a manager with a new bunch of players, it takes some time to measure and comprehend the dynamic of the squad."
"You need to be in a position where you acquire respect by respecting players." However, be exceedingly demanding. Because that is exactly what they desire.
"All of these people want to compete for the title, so you have to show no mercy inside the group and keep everyone in check, making sure they apply what you're doing, since there has been too much liberty taken in recent years."
There are doubts about Ten Hag's readiness to compete with experienced stars, having developed his reputation in Amsterdam by guiding young Dutch players through the ranks.
"It's less of a teacher-student connection with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and David de Gea than he was used to at Ajax," Silvestre explained.
"However, the fundamentals remain the same." When you speak to a group, you express yourself the same way, but when you speak one-on-one, you have a more open conversation and exchange ideas and opinions a little more than when you speak to younger up-and-coming talents."
Silvestre clearly believes in those older players, because he has a slightly controversial opinion on where the Golden Boot will go next season.
While City fans are delighted about the prospect of new recruit Erling Haaland becoming the Premier League's top scorer, Silvestre is rooting for a former teammate who finished third last season.
"Will Haaland win the Golden Boot?" I'd rather see Cristiano Ronaldo win it," he got close last season with a dysfunctional squad, so why not if United works this season?
"Teach the little pup that the elderly dog still has life in him!"
"We have the top strikers in the Premier League in Harry Kane and Mo Salah, so whomever wins it will be the best."
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