European debut, Ten Hag: “Twente? It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love”

Eve day also for the Manchester Unitedwith the technician Erik the Hag who admitted in a press conference today that he would have preferred not to be drawn against the Twente – also Lazio’s opponent in the Europa League – because of his great personal affection for his former club. It is there that the Dutchman’s career as a professional player began, in addition to having been a great fan of the Enschede club

The first statements. “Twente has brought me a lot,” admitted Erik. “I was brought into their academy. I was part of the first youth team generation, when the youth competition was restarted after many years. So, for me, there is a lot of history there, at the Diekman Stadium and now at the Grolsch Veste Stadium. Of all the teams, Twente is the one I follow the most,” admitted Ten Hag. Between tomorrow, September 25 and Thursday, September 26, all 18 matches of the first round of the EL will take place.

United have never played against Twente in a competitive matchbut the coach of the Red Devils he paid a lot of attention to the team, even just for fun: “I watch them as a fan,” he explained. “As a fan, not as an analyst. It’s a different way of watching the games.” Continuing: “There are many links between Manchester United and Twente, between me and Rene Hake, between me and Ruud (van Nistelrooy, ed.). Finishing: “There are also links created through the various Ajax players we have dealt with. I would have preferred to play against someone else. It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love,” he concluded.