Erik ten Hag’s former assistant, Rene Hake, has shared interesting insights into his time at Manchester United and his interactions with the players. During his brief stint at Old Trafford, Hake worked closely with the squad, but his experiences revealed that not all players were eager to embrace change.
Hake mentioned that players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were open to refining their timing on deep runs, while Bruno Fernandes often focused on his positioning during build-up play. However, some players were less receptive to altering their style, with Hake acknowledging that it was understandable when players, like Fernandes at times, preferred to maintain their existing approach.
One player who stood out for Hake was Casemiro. He praised the Brazilian for his “football intelligence” and his ability to anticipate game situations. Hake admired how Casemiro could sense what would happen on the field, particularly in crucial moments, attributing this to both his mental sharpness and his consistent execution, even after many attempts.
Despite the challenges in fully implementing his and Ten Hag’s philosophy at United, Hake’s observations about these key players provide a glimpse into the team’s dynamics under Ten Hag, particularly their varying levels of receptiveness to tactical changes.