After Arsenal's 3-2 win over Manchester United on Sunday, Gunners legend Thierry Henry has made a surprising confession regarding Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag and FC Barcelona.
Ten Hag has had a better start to life in Manchester than many expected after taking the job amid some concerning challenges as the side finished the 2021/22 campaign with 58 points, their lowest tally in Premier League history.
Read: Ten Hag: What must change if Man Utd want trophies
After taking charge at Old Trafford, the 52-year-old began a massive clearout as 11 players left the club ahead of the 2022/23 season, including Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, and Juan Mata, while a few other players were sent out on loan.
In November, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo joined the exodus when he parted ways with the Red Devils by mutual consent after a huge fallout with the club and Ten Hag in particular.
On the field, results and performances improved, with the team going on a 10-game unbeaten run before suffering defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking after that match, Henry revealed he has been so impressed with the progress the United boss has made so far, and confessed that he actually recommended the former Ajax Amsterdam tactician to Barca president Joan Laporta after Ronald Koeman was sacked in October 2021.
"I am happy that Arsenal won and they deserved to win after their performance in the second half, but, boy, Man United look completely different under Ten Hag," he told CBS Sports.
"I will be honest, I am a big fan of Ten Hag and I like him very much. He is the coach I recommended to [club president, Joan] Laporta after Koeman got sacked at Barca. He is a genius.
"Today, we saw a team with three years of development against a team with six months of development, also a team with one week of rest against a team with two days of rest, yet still Man United went toe-to-toe, which for me was surprising.
"I thought Arsenal would be all over United from the kick-off and United players would sit back but I was wrong, United in fact had better control of the ball in the first half.
Read: Ex-Zamalek boss gives Ronaldo rating after goalless debut
"You give one more year to Ten Hag and back him in the market, United will be a force to reckon with.
"No disrespect to Sir Alex but if Ten Hag gets it right at United, they will play more attractive football than they played under Sir Alex Ferguson."
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