Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag will be desperate to transform Manchester United into a more possession-based team, with one notable player likely to be sacrificed as a result.Manchester United news, exclusives and analysisThe Red Devils went to the Etihad for Sunday’s Manchester derby looking to counter-attack against the champions, but their meek rearguard shipped four first-half goals in a 6-3 loss.Ten Hag has shifted to a more reactionary, direct approach since losing his opening two Premier League matches against Brighton and Brentford, with his overhaul of United’s style forced to wait.But Neville believes defeat to City will only have reinforced the Dutchman’s desire to play more possession-dominant football, but it will mean certain players – such as David de Gea – will likely be replaced.‘We’re seeing less success with that type of [defensive] football.
Other than Leicester, can you think of a team that have not dominated possession most of the time that have won this league in the last 15-20 years?
Not really,’ explained the United legend on The Gary Neville Podcast.‘You don’t see it. You have to be a very proactive team on the front foot, pressing, doing all the right things.‘And I think that’s where Erik ten Hag, to be fair to him, he has stepped back.
We saw a graphic before the game that in the last four games they’ve had 42% possession – but they had 60% when they were losing.‘They’ve also played a lot more long balls, so I think he’s had to step back to go forward.