Speaking about how Erik ten Hag has turned things around for Man United after they moved on to the Carabao Cup final, Roy Keane told Sky Sports: “If Manchester United are successful, it’s going to be down to their squad.
“There’s definitely been a big change, obviously they’re winning football matches which helps. But I think in the summer when the new manager came in and obviously United were rock bottom and we’re talking about the recruitment – I think what was key was the players who left.
“I’m not knocking all these players but they were experienced players – Pogba, [Juan] Mata, [Nemanja] Matic, Jesse Lingard, lads who have been around and knew they were leaving.
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“They knew a few months [beforehand] that they would be leaving, that their contracts were up, and I think that wasn’t helping. There definitely feels around the club a new energy and the manager has obviously put down a few markers after such a bad start to the season and that momentum and feel-good factor is certainly back at the club. You feel the energy levels are slightly different.”
Ten Hag has underseen a squad overhaul since arriving, which has seen some high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba leave. However, his impressive man-management and clever signings have elevated United from last season and helped them compete for multiple trophies this time around.