After taking over as captain of Harry Maguire, Erik Ten Hag is gradually eliminating the remnants of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is in no rush to push up the pillars under Solskjaer, instead waiting for the right time for the change to bring the best results. However, the Dutch strategist could not help but be criticized.
"I don't think it was a great management," former captain Roy Keane said of Ten Hag's departure of Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, referring to the decision to allow De Gea to leave without a proper farewell, Rio Ferdinand, another former captain, said he was "heartbroken by the way the club handled it".
And there will certainly be sympathy for Maguire when he loses the captaincy. But Ten Hag deserves to be rewarded for what he has done.
Ten Hag is cruel but also very patient. Those two qualities combine well and create a moderate pace of change at Old Trafford.
Simply put, if the transfer process is accelerated, the risk rate will be very high. On the contrary, slowing down will undermine Ten Hag's own principle.
Neither Ronaldo, De Gea or Maguire follow Ten Hag's principle. But they are the ones who receive the highest salaries in the team and contribute more or less, especially Ronaldo and De Gea.
For Ronaldo, he is not suitable nor can adapt to Ten Hag's style. "For me, pressing is an important factor. What I require from the players is that they press," Ten Hag soon realized Ronaldo's problem.
However, the key is that Ten Hag is not in a hurry to scold Ronaldo. "I really look forward to working with him. Ronaldo is not for sale. He is in our plan. We want to succeed together," Ten Hag said on the first day at Old Traffod.
Ten Hag added: "We are happy with Ronaldo. He will suit all systems or all styles."
Of course, it did not happen like that, although the way Ronaldo left could satisfy both sides. CR7 was given a better way out than pushed away. At the time of his final appearance for Man United, CR7 started 9 out of the previous 13 matches. However, Ronaldo still appeared angry.
De Gea's departure is less agitating but still in the same scenario. "I am really happy with De Gea, he is a great goalkeeper. He is only 31 years old, healthy and can improve further. De Gea has impressed at Man United and will continue to do so in the future."
Those statements were made by Ten Hag in November, even after De Gea struggled to adapt to the new demands. Ten Hag continued to assert that De Gea would stay, although the language had changed. "I wouldn't say he's always been my number one."
Ten Hag realized that immediately changing the goalkeeper was too complicated, and prioritized other positions.
Ten Hag believes that Andre Onana is better suited to him because of his good footwork, which is essential for the style of play he wants to build. And this is the right time to make a big change.
With Maguire's departure, there is also the sophistication of De Gea. Maguire's captaincy would be an immediate province. At the moment, it is a reasonable decision for the English midfielder's form.
Ten Hag has just had to fire the right men while strengthening the trust of other individuals in the team. The club's 6-year wait for the title has ended and Man United is also back in the Champions League arena.
Ten Hag has made his mark at Old Trafford. Onana is the third Ajax former player to join Man United. In addition, there are 2 other players from the Dutch national championship.
Ten Hag has been trusted to carry out the revolution at Old Trafford. The Dutch strategist has been somewhat successful with his ingenuity as the legacy of Ronaldo and De Gea is still respected.
