Erik ten Hag has become second manager in Man United history to criticise Alex Ferguson's locker room advice.
Erik ten Hag crafted the audacious decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo against Brighton in his first game as Manchester United manager, but it backfired.
"Start with your best player every time."
Sir Alex Ferguson advised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Everton last season. The Scot was speaking with UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov shortly after the match at Old Trafford and made the remark after the Russian attempted to put a positive spin on the outcome.
Erik ten Hag had the opportunity to follow Ferguson's advice in his first game as manager of Manchester United this weekend, when his team hosted Brighton, but he chose not to.
Ten Hag called Ronaldo to the bench, describing to the public that the 37-year-old wasn't match-fit because he hadn't participated in the Red Devils' pre-season. "I can't say [when Ronaldo will return to the starting lineup]." "It all depends on how quickly he progresses. He will go to any length to reach his fitness goals as soon as possible."
Instead, Ten Hag chose Christian Eriksen to play an unfamiliar false nine role, despite the fact that the Dane did not have a pre-season with the Red Devils following his free transfer to United.
Eriksen was isolated up top and dropped deeper and deeper to get in on the action, leaving United with no attacking outlet.
In the second half, Ten Hag made the necessary substitutions, replacing Fred with Ronaldo and moving the five-time Ballon d'Or winner up front, with Eriksen dropping into a deep, central midfield position.
That after game, Ten Hag admitted his error in not including Ronaldo, telling the press: "We were clearly better in midfield in the second half with Eriksen down and Ronaldo up. We created chances, and [Marcus] Rashford had two good ones; it's a sad thought we didn't convert."
United's sides agreed, with Diogo Dalot saying, "I think that as soon as we saw Eriksen was going to get a lot of time on the ball freely, that's when everything started to become more dynamic up front."
Much speculation surrounded whether Ten Hag would start Ronaldo against Brighton after he informed the club that he wishes to leave for a team competing in the Champions League this season.
Ten Hag emerged to leave the Portuguese international out to lay a label, indicating to the world that he will not bow to the tension of any individual.
However, Ronaldo is expected to return to the starting lineup for United's next match against Brentford on Saturday, as Anthony Martial continues his recovery.
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