<p>Mike Phelan spent decades as an assistant at Manchester United. Originally, Phelan was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-dominating regime at Old Trafford. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjær&nbsp;brought Phelan back. He served as an assistant to both Solskjær&nbsp;and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/rangnick-commits-to-man-utd-role-despite-austria-links-20220428-CMS-381920.html">Ralf Rangnick</a>, who succeeded the Norwegian. </p>



<p>Phelan is not a part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff in the current edition of Manchester United. However, few have the insight of Phelan, who watched the club surge to the top of the world. Then, he was on the staff that saw United struggle mightily in recent seasons.</p>



<p>The former assistant sat down with <em><a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12959180/manchester-united-mike-phelan-discusses-working-with-sir-alex-ferguson-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-ralf-rangnick-and-erik-ten-hags-progress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a></em> to discuss the changing landscape at Manchester United. He offered his insight into several topics. For example, Phelan commented on working with Solskjær and Rangnick. Also, he discussed Harry Maguire, who continues to be a major talking point at Old Trafford.</p>



<p>Yet, two of the topics that stood out most pertained to Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag. Last season, ten Hag famously ousted Ronaldo from Manchester United. The Portuguese sensation <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-joins-al-nassr-in-211-million-per-year-deal-20221231-WST-413970.html">moved to Saudi Arabia</a>, where he started a trend of world-class talents accepting major money to play in the Middle East.</p>



<h2>Mike Phelan says United mentality changed under SAF, Ronaldo and ten Hag</h2>



<p>Ronaldo provided a big personality. Such is the star’s character. However, his standards, as Phelan put it, were remarkably high.</p>



<p>“The first time, the challenging part was that Cristiano came to Manchester United knowing in his own mind that he was going to be the best in the world,” Phelan said. “He had one ball under his hand and the team had another.”</p>



<p>“His work ethic and practice was fantastic and it rubbed off on the players. They knew there was someone special there. In that environment, with the standards so high, the players knew this guy could take them where they needed to go and to go again. He did that brilliantly.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ “He didn’t want to let his standards drop, he wanted other people’s to come up. I recall times that he pushed hard.”<br><br>Mike Phelan explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s first spell at Man Utd and why he had to move on after his second spell at the club. 🇵🇹 <a href="https://t.co/1DHU4e5naV">pic.twitter.com/1DHU4e5naV</a></p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1701556789903597601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>However, when Ronaldo came back under Solskjær, the club’s standards had dropped. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho changed the atmosphere at the club. </p>



<p>“The second time round, he came in a lot older and a lot more opinionated, strong-willed,” Phelan added. “He still had massively high standards and was terrific to work with. But I’d probably say a tougher mindset.&nbsp;I remember certain times when he pushed and pushed hard, and he didn’t get much reaction or much response. And there was frustration.”</p>



<h5>Erik ten Hag working to get standards back up</h5>



<p>In the decade following Ferguson’s departure, United needed a new identity. Now, Erik ten Hag is working on that. He, according to Phelan, is trying to raise the standards again.</p>



<p>“Him and his coaching staff have made a difference, from what was left. They are changing lot of things and changing them quickly. There is a definite difference in standards, you can see that.</p>



<p>“There has been great success, or relatively great success in one year and I’m sure he wants to push on. It’s been a little bit up and down at the start of the season but that happens. I think they can progress and make bigger strides.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ “Him and his coaching staff have made a difference. I think they can progress and make bigger strides. They’ve spent a lot of money but he needs time.” <br><br>Mike Phelan on Erik ten Hag’s impact at Manchester United. 🇳🇱 <a href="https://t.co/rfDHo3R5EO">pic.twitter.com/rfDHo3R5EO</a></p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1701538178526585209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The manager is under constant pressure at United. Dips in form draw consistent ire from fans who demand success.</p>



<p>“It’s Manchester United – you lose one game, you can call it a blip. You lose two or three in a row? It’s probably a crisis. Having lived it, I understand what he’s going through. There is a story about Manchester United every day, all different mediums now to find a story. There’s a lot of work to do but he’s trying, he’s finding ways to find his feet still. But they need results.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; PA Images</em></p>


Former United assistant Mike Phelan comments on ten Hag, Ronaldo

Mike Phelan spent decades as an assistant an assistant at Manchester United, including a lengthy spell in Sir Alex Ferguson's regime.

<div id="attachment_4846" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pro_34212_alexferguson.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4846" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4846" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pro_34212_alexferguson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-4846" class="wp-caption-text">Sir Alex Ferguson&apos;s gamble did not pay off</p></div>
<p>Owen Hargreaves suffered another injury set back just six minutes in to his Manchester United comeback. The likeable midfielder was making his first start in over two years, but was forced off early on with a hamstring complaint.</p>
<p>Speaking after United’s 2-1 over Wolves, assistant manager Mike Phelan admitted the injury to Hargreaves was very disappointing. He said: “Obviously he is down in the dumps. He has put a lot of work in and today we took a gamble with him. We put him in to the frame and thought we could get a performance out of him. That was a risk and it didn’t work out for us.</p>
<p>“He has to overcome the slight problems. It is unfortunate for him and we feel for him but he’ll be okay. We’re not quite sure what the injury is at the moment but we’ll find that out.”</p>
<p>I think I speak for the whole footballing community when I say that I hope this is only a minor setback in the former Bayern Munich mans recovery. It is a real&nbsp;shame to see such a talented and energetic footballer have his career tainted by a persistent injury.</p>
<p>Hargreaves won the support of nearly all England fans with his dedication and commitment during the 2006 World Cup. Before then he was often lambasted by the Three Lions faithful but eventually his character and ability would win him plenty of admirers.</p>
<p>He now really needs to dig in to his tough character and overcome this setback and if there is anybody that could cope with another injury it is Hargreaves. Many would have given up on football&nbsp;after such a long spell out through injury, but testament to his commitment Hargreaves stuck at it, and now really deserves some reprieve from constant injuries.</p>
<p>A hamstring injury shouldn’t see a long term spell on the sidelines for Hargreaves and would I encourage people not to ridicule him for been ‘injury prone’. Niggling injuries are only to be expected after a long time on the sidelines, but will become rarer as he build up his general fitness.</p>
<p>I for one hope that we see him lining up for United again in the very near future, because if anyone deserves to play football at the top level, it is Hargreaves.</p>


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