Erik ten Hag delights in winning his first trophy in charge
‘This cup can be the inspiration to get even MORE’: Erik ten Hag vows to deliver more trophies after Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle at Wembley… and says ‘I just LOVE United’
- Manchester United beat Newcastle 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley
- United head coach Erik ten Hag said his side are ‘restoring’ the club after the win
- It is the first piece of silverware Ten Hag has picked up since becoming boss
Erik ten Hag danced with delight on the Wembley pitch after winning his first trophy as Manchester United manager and then vowed to make history at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag explained that his victory jig with United players Lisandro Martinez and Antony is a tradition dating back to their time together at Ajax.
‘We have a history, Licha and Antony, in Amsterdam and we did some dancing. I hope we can do even more in the future but therefore we have to invest and sacrifice every day to win trophies.
‘You have to celebrate. It is not business as usual, it is not a common day. We won a trophy and this trophy means something.
‘That is the feeling I get here and we have won something. We have to celebrate but after that point you have to keep going because this cup can be the inspiration to get even more.’
Erik ten Hag and his two former Ajax players were filmed dancing a jig during the celebrations
The Dutchman explained that it was something they had done in the past while at Ajax
Roy Keane did not appear to value the dance moves much, calling for Ten Hag to resign
When Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane joked that Ten Hag should resign over his dance routine, the Dutchman replied: ‘Never, I hope we can do it more!’
Ten Hag agreed that winning at Wembley justified his decision to leave a successful set-up and Ajax and move to Old Trafford 10 months ago.
‘Maybe it was a risk but I just love United,’ he added. ‘So when I see our shirts, the boundary with the fans, when I see Old Trafford, the legacy like Sir Alex left, so many big players were developed in a United shirt and we want to do the same.
‘This team wants to make its own history and when this opportunity came I thought it was the right club for me, I want to be part of it.
‘It is one cup and it is February but it shows we are in the right direction. It has to be the inspiration to keep going and be happy for 24 hours, but not satisfied because satisfaction leads to laziness and then you don’t win trophies.’
Having had dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson in midweek, Ten Hag revealed that he had spoken to the Scot after yesterday’s victory.
‘He was there and he is a happy man tonight,’ he said. ‘The dinner that shows we are good and it shows he is really involved in this club and really committed.
‘We all can learn a lot from him. What he did for Manchester United is huge, an inspiration for all of us.’
Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United are back where they belong after beating Newcastle
Manchester United’s Carabao Cup final victory ended their six-year trophy drought
The 53-year-old joined up with Manchester United at the beginning of the season and got off to a tricky start at his new club.
United lost their first two games of the season under Ten Hag – including the 4-0 thrashing against Brentford.
Ten Hag has since turned things around and has led United to picking up the Carabao Cup.
However, the head coach insists this is just the beginning.
Ten Hag said: ‘We are still at the start of restoring Manchester United to where we belong – and that is winning trophies.
‘There was a real hunger and desire for trophies, because that is what Manchester United stands for.’
An own-goal from Sven Botman and a Casemiro header helped end United’s six-year wait
Manchester United legend Gary Neville also praised the head coach for the transformation the club has been under since his arrival.
Neville said: ‘It’s about one man having transformed this team from whiners into winners in such a short period of time Erik ten Hag – what a job that he’s done.
‘They’ve got a spirit, they’ve got a fight and they’ve got a real chance of coming back and winning trophies beyond this again because you can see something emerging with him.’
Ten Hag’s side took command of the big occasion when Casemiro headed in a brilliant Luke Shaw cross to give Manchester United the lead.
An own-goal courtesy of Sven Botman doubled United’s advantage and put them in complete control as they saw the game out.
Like Ten Hag, Manchester United fans will be hoping for more silverware this season as they compete in the remaining competitions.
Source: Read Full Article