Chelsea manager Graham Potter has claimed Erik ten Hag has changed ‘a lot’ to improve Manchester United’s results. United suffered two embarrassing defeats against Brighton and Brentford at the start of the season and Potter was in charge of the south coast club when they won 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to two goals from Pascal Gross in the first half.
Ten Hag’s side won four consecutive Premier League matches after the Brentford debacle and performances have gradually improved in recent weeks, with perhaps the strongest display of his tenure yet coming against Tottenham in midweek.
United defeated Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday and they were good value for that two-goal win. United have the challenge of playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next and their manager Potter has looked ahead to the clash.
Potter, speaking at his press conference on Friday, praised the work that Ten Hag has done after a poor start this season:
“A lot [what has changed]. I have huge respect for [Erik] ten Hag, the job he’s done in his career, and his quality as a coach,” Potter said. “You can see people adapt and adjust as they go into the competition faze. So they have done well.
“Obviously, it wasn’t a great start from their perspective but they’ve battled back, got points and played well. It’s going to be a tough game. They’ve changed a little in how they build up, they are a little bit more direct. At the same time, they have the same quality.
“They have the threats of [Marcus] Rashford, Anthony, [Jadon] Sancho and Bruno Fernandes plays a key role for them. So there are a lot of similarities but they seem to have adapted to the competition, adapted to each other, learned more about each other.
“It’s a normal process really. I’d been at Brighton for three years when we played them and Erik had been at Manchester United six weeks if that, so there is a lot of learning you need to do and a process that you need to go through. That’s normal.
“He has the quality and naturally, they will get better and better as time goes on. It’s a game of football and it’s always the same. You have to analyse the opponent and think of a way you can play yourself. But Manchester United are Manchester United.
“They have got top players and are galvanising into an impressive team. It’s a tough game, an exciting game, a fantastic game to be involved in. We’re looking forward to it.”