ERIK TEN HAG has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month – a surprisingly rare feat for a Manchester United boss.
The Dutchman endured a dreadful start to life at Old Trafford after taking charge this summer.
The Red Devils suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton on the opening day of the campaign.
They were then thumped 4-0 at Brentford as alarm bells really started ringing.
However, the Dutchman navigated the storm superbly as United bounced back with a victory over Liverpool followed by a win at Southampton.
But it was United’s superb September that has led to Ten Hag receiving his first Manager of the Month award – even though the club only played two top-flight matches.
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Jadon Sancho’s goal got it off to a flyer as that secured the points from their away game at Leicester.
Then a thrilling display against Arsenal on September 4 made it four-straight Premier League victories.
Unfortunately, that momentum has been temporarily halted after fixtures with Crystal Palace and Leeds United were both called off.
But despite the limited game-time, United’s displays have still proven to be enough to earn Ten Hag the prize.
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And he will now be desperate to avoid the dreaded curse that is so often associated with the accolade as he prepares his troops for Sunday’s Manchester derby against City at the Etihad.
Ten Hag has become the first United manager since January 2019 to win the award.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the last boss to get it while in the Old Trafford dug-out.
United’s legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson holds the record for the most monthly wins with a whopping total of 27.
And prior to Solskjaer, he was the last United gaffer to scoop the honour way back in October 2012.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ralf Rangnick all failed to win the award during their respective times in charge of Manchester United.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
