Erik ten Hag insists he has a Manchester United plan amid Jason Wilcox's 'playing model' audit

Erik ten Hag's subs were booed in Manchester United's draw against Burnley. Photo: Getty Images/Oli Scarff < p>Erik ten Hag has pointedly insisted that Manchester United are developing a clear style of play throughout the club under his leadership, amid Ineos' desire to impose a new 'playing model' at Old Trafford.< /p>

At the first sign of potential rifts between Ten Hag and United's new regime under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the manager said he believed the club was already seeing the fruits of the «shared» playing philosophy and identity he had helped instill since took over the club two years ago.

Earlier this week, Telegraph Sport reported that United's new technical director Jason Wilcox has been tasked with developing a «playing model» and making recommendations on whether he believes it can Ten Hag fit into these plans.

United have been doing this for years. has faced criticism for lacking a cohesive playing style and identity, with pressure on Ten Hag only mounting after Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Burnley effectively ended the club's Champions League hopes.

But in response to the revelations, Ten Hag used his official policy notes ahead of United's Premier League game against Burnley at Old Trafford to say the club was already well on its way to implementing a consistent playing model that could ensure success from the very beginning. The team disbanded.

In the week that Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to represent United's first team, Ten Hag suggested the progress made by young players such as Kobby Mainu and Alejandro Garnacho proof that their plan is working.< /p>

“Strengthening the links between the academy and the first team was one of my priorities when I joined the club, working alongside Darren Fletcher as a liaison and [academy director] Nick Cox and his staff to develop a common playing model with consistent training methods and styles games,” wrote Ten Hag.

“We are seeing the results of this this season with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobby Mainoo becoming important first-team players and several others vying to join them. .

“A top club can never succeed using only home-grown players, but they will always be an important part of Manchester United. Ethan (Whitley) can be proud to be the latest piece of that story, and others who show the right talent and winning attitude may follow.»

Wilcox replaced Fletcher as technical director, but the former midfielder United expect him to remain at the club, even if it remains to be seen in what capacity.

Ten Hag believes they have done a good job of cultivating the playing spirit that permeates the whole club and the idea of ​​a potential new game . The imposed model appears to be a source of potential disagreement. Whether the under-pressure Dutchman will be flexible to any suggestions or changes remains to be seen.

Wilcox is expected to review Ten Hag's training methods, approach and relationship with the dressing room in the coming weeks before reporting about it. Back to Ratcliffe's Ineos team and new CEO Omar Berrada. United are also awaiting the appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director.