Ten Hag looks unrecognisable playing for Man Utd opponents as he says ‘it’s not nice to have to hurt something you love’
ERIK TEN HAG looked unrecognisable during his time as a player at FC Twente.
The Manchester United manager, 54, will come up against his former side in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
It comes 22 years after the former centre-back hung up his boots as a player, retiring following a third spell with Twente.
Ten Hag broke through at the Eredivisie club in 1989 and went on to feature more than 200 times across a 13-year period.
And the now bald manager looked totally different with a full head of hair back in the day.
He came up against Twente as a manager while in Holland as he enjoyed an impressive five-year spell as Ajax boss.
Now he will face them for the first time as Man Utd head coach as the Red Devils look to kick off their European campaign with a victory.
But Ten Hag has admitted he would have rather not faced his former club.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the boss – who showed off his touch in training ahead of the game – said: “I would have preferred to play against someone else. It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love.
“Of all the teams, Twente is the team I follow the most.
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“I watch them as a fan, as a supporter, not as an analyst. It’s a different way of watching their games.
“Twente brought me a lot, I was put through their academy, so for me a great deal of history there.”
Meanwhile, Twente boss Joseph Oosting has explained how he plans to lead his side to an unlikely victory at Old Trafford.
He said: “I always believe in opportunities. If we dare to play, we can also create opportunities. Especially in the transition, we can hurt Manchester.
“That is easier said than done but the will is definitely there.
“We played games against Red Bull [Salzburg] that you learn from.
“Everything goes at the highest tempo, whether it is on the ball or in defence.
“You have to be top in everything and we need everyone to be there. I think we have also made progress in that.
“We have respect for Manchester United, but we also have the full conviction and the will to get the most out of the game.”
Twente sit fourth in the Eredivisie, starting their campaign with three wins, two draws and one defeat.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.