Eagle-eyed Manchester United fans spotted a classy exchange between Erik ten Hag and Steve McClaren after the Red Devils’ comeback win in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
Said Benrahma stunned United, who won the League Cup on Sunday, at Old Trafford in the fifth-round FA Cup tie after firing West Ham into the lead in the second half.
However, Ten Hag’s men rallied back late in the second half after Nayef Aguerd unintentionally fired a header past Alphonse Areola following a United corner.
United winger Alejandro Garnacho then fired his side into the lead in the 90th minute with a stunning strike before Fred added his name to the scoresheet in injury time.
Ten Hag has been widely praised for his remarkable work at United after bouncing back from two opening Premier League defeats in the season.
McClaren, who returned to United last summer as part of Ten Hag’s backroom coaching staff, was spotted praising the Red Devils boss after the FA Cup match.
Footage showed McClaren mouthing something towards Ten Hag as he embraced him, with the United assistant coach pointing towards his temple.
Fans on social media believe the former England manager was praising Ten Hag for his ‘winning mentality’ after United reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“He knows. The man is a master tactician! He stuck with his structure,” one fan said.
Another Twitter user wrote: “The hardest part is finding ways to install winning mentally in players that appeared down and out just a year ago.”
Someone else commented: “Watch this, his assistant is wow.”
While one fan tweeted: “I love the whole vibe around United this season and it’s all down to [Erik ten Hag’s] leadership.”
A fifth posted: “We definitely all love it, too.”
Erik ten Hag ‘dismisses prospect’ of open-top bus parade if Man United win Carabao Cup
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/UEFA
Erik ten Hag has reportedly ruled out an open-top bus parade if Manchester United win the Carabao Cup this weekend.
On Sunday, Ten Hag has the chance to end United’s six-year trophy drought as they take on a rejuvenated Newcastle United at Wembley.
Since the Dutchman took over in the summer, United have been performing brilliantly despite a tough start, with the Red Devils still on course to get their hands on four trophies this season.
However, ahead of Sunday’s final, Ten Hag has no interest in holding a parade if his side win.
According to The Daily Mail, the United boss has told staff that attention will swiftly be shifted to next Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against West Ham United after Sunday’s final.
It has been reported that Ten Hag will only consider an open-top bus parade at the end of the season, but on the condition that United win at least two trophies rather than just the Carabao Cup.
The Old Trafford club last tasted silverware in the 16/17 season when Jose Mourinho’s side lifted both the Europa League and the EFL Cup.
In comparison, United’s opponents on Sunday, Newcastle will hold a parade if they manage to defy the odds and end the club’s 54-year trophy-less run.
However, no parade will happen if the Magpies are beaten by the Red Devils despite the club previously holding celebrations after losing in the 1974, 1998 and 1999 FA Cup finals.
After Thursday night’s stunning win over Barcelona in the Europa League, Ten Hag said the Carabao Cup is the only thing that matters for now.
The Dutchman said: “One by one. The Europa League? We don’t dream about European trophies. That’s far ahead. “On Sunday, we have a great opportunity to win a trophy. We’ll give everything to win that trophy.
“From now on, our focus is on that game. It doesn’t matter to me (about the Europa League draw). I focus on Newcastle United, it is the only thing that counts.”
Who do you think win the Carabao Cup on Sunday? Let us know in the comments.
