Manchester United have only been beaten twice at Old Trafford since Erik ten Hag was appointed.
Rio Ferdinand has noted a key change since Erik ten Hag was appointed
Rio Ferdinand is relieved that teams have stopped “taking liberties” against Manchester United at Old Trafford since Erik ten Hag was appointed as their manager.
As well as vast improvements across the board this season, Ten Hag and his United side have strung together an impressive home record with only two defeats coming in all competitions. Brighton humbled United in thatPremier League opener and Real Sociedad were also victorious on their Europa League visit in August.
However, following those early-campaign defeats, United have won 14 games at Old Trafford and drawn once, while Reading were beaten at the iconic venue in the FA Cup on Saturday night. And it was a post-match press conference from Reading manager Paul Ince which led Ferdinand to his conclusion.\
Speaking on his popular FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: “Do you know what was the most pleasing thing about that game? It was the press conference after.
“Paul Ince was saying that last year if they went to Old Trafford they would have gone there and said; ‘We can beat these’. Now, under Erik ten Hag, they are approaching the game very differently, and I think you could see that in the way teams are coming to Old Trafford.
“Over the last few years, teams used to come to Old Trafford with their sleeves up, collars up, shirts tucked in, socks down thinking; ‘This is it. I have come to put the spotlight on myself and make a name for myself here at Old Trafford’. [They were] Taking liberties.
“Now, he has started to change that. The atmosphere in the stadium is different.”