Ten Hag, however, said a confident player will excel at the club and that United remain “the best challenge” for any footballer
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag has explained why some players flop after joining the club, claiming some footballers cannot handle the pressure that comes with playing for the English giant.
The Dutch tactician, however, said a confident player will excel at Old Trafford and Insisted signing for the Red Devils is still “the best challenge” for any footballer.
Ten Hag has sanctioned Donny van Beek’s loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt in the January window, while Jadon Sancho is also set to rejoin former club Borussia Dortmund on loan.
Van de Beek was on the Ballon d’Or shortlist before his £35 million move from Ajax in 2020, and Sancho was one of the most promising young players in Europe when he arrived in a £73 million deal from Dortmund in 2021.
The two players, however, failed to make their marks after joining the red side of Manchester from the Dutch and German leagues respectively.
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Speaking on the moves, Ten Hag said: “That is always on those players and how much confidence you have in your capabilities, but I can tell you one thing; the Premier League is tough.
“Man United; that is tough to play there because it’s easier to play in almost any other team than Man United because the pressure is that high, always. You have to deal with that.
“But if you have confidence in yourself, this is the best challenge and this is definitely the best club you want to be at as a player. It depends from player to player, and it depends especially on the character of the player, their personality.”