“The only disappointment”: Ten Hag’s ex-United assistant names biggest regret from his time at the club

Former Manchester United coach Mitchell van der Gaag has named the most disappointing thing about his time at the club.

Van der Gaag’s time at United

Van der Gaag joined United in the summer of 2022, accompanying Erik ten Hag from Ajax.

He helped guide United to a third-placed finish in the 2022/23 campaign, as well as lifting the Carabao Cup. In doing so, the coaching staff brought an end to United’s six-year wait for a major piece of silverware.

The following campaign was less successful as the Red Devils finished in eighth position. But, there was some light at the end of the tunnel as the team won the FA Cup, beating cross-town rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley.

Van der Gaag departed Old Trafford soon after as part of INEOS’s and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reshuffling of the backroom staff.

He has since been named boss of Swiss club FC Zurich. Van der Gaag has now opened up on his time at United, naming the one thing he truly regrets.

Van der Gaag speaks on his United spell

The Dutchman told GIVEMESPORT, “I look back on my time at Manchester United positively. I think it was two wonderful years. They were very positive and I learned a lot.”

“The first year was very positive because we finished in third place, won the Carabao Cup and went to the FA Cup final.”

“I think the only disappointment, in my opinion, was that we could have been better in the Europa League. But I think the first year was very positive, so everyone expected that we could improve in the second season.”

He continued, “That was a very strange season. We were not good enough in the Premier League or Champions League.”

“There were very strange results as well because there were games we were winning comfortably and then drawing or losing. But, in the end, we won the FA Cup. It puts everything in a positive way, so that was important.”

“They were two years when I learned a lot, especially about the way the Premier League functions, the way football is played and the tactical variations. It was something that I really enjoyed.”

Ten Hag was sacked a few months after Van der Gaag’s exit. The former United manager is now the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

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