Applause for Erik as youngsters get chance

NORWEGIAN REDS SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION FOR TEN HAG WHILE BACK-UP KEEPER VITEK EXCELS

- TYRONE MARSHALL

THERE was a time earlier in the summer when it looked like this would be the dawn of a new era at United.

It could have been Thomas Tuchel waving to his new public in Norway, or Jonny Evans baiting the press on his own goalline as Roberto De Zerbi instilled his radical ideas into the squad.

Instead, it was Erik ten Hag who took in the applause from the Norwegian reds who packed most of the Lerkendal Stadion. The Dutchman is a popular figure amongst United's support, a position only enhanced by the final act of last season.

The FA Cup final win against Manchester City just about kept him in a job.

And although he remains in the dugout, there is still the unmistakable whiff of change in the air. On the pitch, three new Dutch coaches strolled around conducting the pre-match warm-ups, including Ruud van Nistelrooy.

In the stands, the team assembled by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be the architects of United's renaissance watched on. This was a first game in new roles for sporting director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox flanked them.

Change only goes so far, however. Ten Hag spent two weeks after the FA Cup final fearing a second trophy in as many seasons wouldn't be enough to give him a third year. Tuchel and De Zerbi were both sounded out about taking his job, but Ten Hag remains, with a new coaching staff and a new football structure in place.