‘Transformed the entire squad since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure’ – Former Manchester United star hails Erik ten Hag
Former Manchester United forward Garth Crooks believes that getting rid of Cristiano Ronaldo was crucial to the Red Devils’ turnaround this season under Erik ten Hag. Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League after defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday (April 16). Ten Hag and company won at the City Ground thanks to goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot.
Despite missing several regular starters owing to injuries, the Red Devils took all three points over Steve Cooper’s team. Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Raphael Varane all missed the trip to Nottingham.
Crooks was particularly impressed with how Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof filled in for Ten Hag’s first-choice defenders. He congratulated Manchester United’s defence for preserving a clean sheet against the Tricky Trees.
“Manchester United were one of the few teams that kept a clean sheet this weekend, but what was special about it was United are ravaged by injuries,” Crooks wrote in his BBC Sport column. “Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Diogo Dalot have not featured regularly in the first team this season, but you wouldn’t have known that (going by) the way they performed against Nottingham Forest.”
Getting rid of Ronaldo was key to that: Garth Crooks
Crooks also singled out Dalot, who netted his first Premier League goal for the Red Devils before turning his attention to Ten Hag. Following Ronaldo’s departure in November, the former attacker praised the Dutchman for improving the group.
“Dalot was outstanding in defense and always supportive in attack and took his goal like a seasoned striker,” Crooks added. “All credit to Erik ten Hag, who has not just transformed the team but the entire squad since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. Getting rid of Ronaldo was key to that.”
The Red Devils were sixth in the standings following the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s final league game for the club, but they are currently on track to finish in the top four. Following the departure of the forward, other players appear to be having a good time. Rashford has scored 11 league goals since December, after scoring four in the first half of the season.
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