Footage of Erik ten Hag scoring screamers as a player is so surreal it’s gone viral
A video showcasing the best career goals of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has gone viral – and Red Devils’ fans have been taken aback by just how well the Dutchman could strike a ball.
Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford last summer having enjoyed plenty of success as manager of Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles in the space of four years.
Before the world came to know him as one of Europe’s best managers, though, Ten Hag enjoyed a very respectable 13-year career as a centre-back, racking up 299 appearances in the Dutch top-flight for the likes of Twente, Utrecht, RKC Waalwijk and De Graafschap.
Although he never achieved international honours, Ten Hag was very happy with his playing days, insisting that they helped prepare him well for life as a manager.
“As a player, I was already like a coach,” the 53-year-old told the United Buzz YouTube channel last year.
“I was the connection between the manager and the team. Often I was captain. I tried to organise the team.”
Ten Hag only won two pieces of silverware as a player (the 1990/91 Eerste Divisie with De Graafschap and the 2000/01 KNVB Cup at Twente).
He wasn’t much of a goalscorer, either, finding the net just on 12 occasions, per Transfermarkt, before hanging up his boots.
With that said, some of the goals Ten Hag did score were absolute beauties as shown by a compilation that United fans have recently sent viral.
The United boss wasn’t afraid to have a pop at goal when he fancied his chances – and with good reason, as you’ll see below.
Ten Hag couldn’t have caught these balls any sweeter. The goalkeepers involved had absolutely no chance.
Video: Erik ten Hag scoring worldies during his playing days
Video of Erik ten Hag as a player.
He scored some cracking goals 😁🔥pic.twitter.com/nRNYQ3OWOZ
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) February 14, 2023
In his relatively brief stint at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Ten Hag has become known for gleefully celebrating big United goals by pumping his fists in the air.
The above footage proves that it’s been his celebration of choice for a while.
As soon as the ball ripples the back of the net, Ten Hag rampages towards his fans with fists aloft and a massive smile on his face.
It just goes to show how much he loves the game.
With United still competing for silverware on four fronts right now, we could well see plenty more of Ten Hag’s trademark celebration before the season is out.
You can check out the best fan reaction to the video below.
