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Gary Neville "mesmerised" by Erik ten Hag's work at Manchester United

Neville
© Reuters
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville says that Erik ten Hag is doing an "unbelievable job" in charge of the club.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has lavished praise on Erik ten Hag for the "unbelievable job" that he has done since arriving at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman lost his first two Premier League games at the helm to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, but there has been a huge turnaround in form since then, with the 52-year-old boasting a record of 21 wins, two draws and five losses from his 28 matches in charge.

Man United have won each of their last nine matches in all competitions, including their last five in the league.

The Red Devils came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, which has left them fourth in the table, just one point behind Pep Guardiola's side in second.

Ten Hag has made a number of big decisions during his short time at the club, including dropping club captain Harry Maguire and sanctioning the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their first goal with Casemiro and Antony on January 14, 2023© Reuters

As well as success in the Premier League, Man United are also in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup and fourth round of the FA Cup, while they will face Barcelona in a Europa League knockout round playoff next month.

Neville has said that he has been "mesmerised" by Ten Hag's work at Old Trafford.

"If you'd said to me United would've had a back four of [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw at centre-back, with [Tyrell] Malacia at left-back, and a front three of Bruno [Fernandes], [Anthony] Martial and [Marcus] Rashford - seven or eight months ago, I'd have said United were in big trouble," Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

"Erik ten Hag is doing an unbelievable job there. He's still got a team that looks, on paper, well below what it needs to be. But he's extracted everything he needs from them.

"Casemiro in midfield, big signing. It was a really good decision from Ten Hag to put Fred in [against City]. That United midfield at the Etihad earlier in the season was [Scott] McTominay, [Christian] Eriksen and Fernandes, putting another solid blocking player in with Fred was a masterstroke.

Manchester United players celebrate Bruno Fernandes's goal against Manchester City on January 14, 2023© Reuters

"It meant the game was more difficult for City, and Casemiro has been absolutely outstanding. Authority, composure, Man Utd's midfield was the problem for many years, and actually that's their strongest part of the team and instead they need additions at the back and upfront.

"I'm mesmerised by the job Ten Hag has done. If you'd have said to me four months ago this is where Man Utd will be, I'd have said no chance.

"I'd have said they're finishing halfway down the table, the way they were. Coming off the back of last season, the start of this season, I thought they were absolutely nowhere near. I thought they overpaid for Antony, I thought they overpaid for Casemiro. It looked like the usual Man Utd panic.

"So it's worth noting in moments like this that we shouldn't go too far, but the job the manager has done not only on the pitch but with the players, how he's brought them together and that spirit, the way he's dealt with big situations."

Man United will be aiming to make it 10 straight wins in all competitions when they head to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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