I was dubbed Man Utd’s ‘secret weapon’ under Solskjaer and Ten Hag… now I’m 4,000 miles away in crazy new job
IMAGINE being a history-making coach on the way up at Manchester United – then deciding the job wasn’t “crazy” enough for you.
That was pretty much the dilemma facing a multi-lingual master tactician – labelled an Old Trafford “secret weapon” for his set-piece planning.
Eric Ramsay now 33, was also the youngest ever Brit to get the Uefa Pro Licence – all of five years ago.
He was as highly valued by Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag as he was by the Dutchman’s predecessors Ole Gunner Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Ramsay, however, craved to be the main man himself.
Such offers arrived from the Championship – reportedly Barnsley, Blackpool and Swansea.
But the former Wales assistant coach instead opted to take over Major League Soccer club Minnesota United in February this year.
Ramsay has now explained why he believes it’s the perfect fit – despite some bizarre regulations – along with praising United’s recent procession of under-fire managers.
He told The Times: “I don’t think you can really grasp that until you’re inside a club like that, the level of pressure that brings.”
Turning to Solskjaer, Rangnick and Ten Hag, he added: “I’ve really learnt across all three of them.
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“The reason these guys get to this level is real conviction in their ideas, they are incredibly good communicators, very comfortable being guys at the front of organisations with millions of eyes turned their way all the time.
“I think that takes real weight, real strength and an absolutely unwavering conviction.”
But if the strain of Old Trafford is intense, Ramsay revealed “really crazy stuff” in the MLS.
Teams play on through international breaks, even though academy players not on the “main roster” can only play TWICE for the senior side.
Ramsay said: “In England, if you had an injury crisis over a prolonged period, you’d be able to draw upon your best under-23 players.
“Here, that can only happen up to two games because the players’ union feels like it’s exploitative to not give the player a first-team contract but for him to be playing for next to no money.”
That issue, however, is only the start.
Ramsay added: “The travel is lengthy. Every away game is a chartered flight and you’re often going to somewhere like Colorado where you’ve got a unique climate issue to deal with — you’re playing at altitude.
“We really suffered there. It was far more marked than I’d expect it to be in terms of how it influenced the performance.
“Everybody’s exact salary is well known… designated players can be paid beyond the salary cap and everybody else at a rate relative to their position in the squad.
“It’s for all this that I wanted to come. I knew it would be a real challenge.
“It would be something very different to going into the Championship in England as a head coach for your first role.”
Minnesota are still challenging for a Western Conference play-off spot – after Ramsay’s instant success was followed by a poor run and then a revival.
But asked if he eventually expected to return to Britain, he replied: “Of course”.
For now, though, he is “just taking it (the MLS) for what it is and enjoying it in its entirety”.
Man Utd ratings vs Crystal Palace as Andre Onana saves the day for wasteful Red Devils
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.
Erik ten Hag shocked fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.
And the Red Devils failed to make a breakthrough – dropping two more points.
Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Man Utd player ratings…
ANDRE ONANA – 8/10
Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.
And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.
Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.
Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.
Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.
An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.
Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.
Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.
Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6
Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.
Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.
SUBS:
MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6
Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.
MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6
United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.
RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6
Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos.