Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has admitted that he didn’t expect Manchester United to be so competitive in their 3-2 defeat to the Gunners at the weekend.

The Frenchman says all the credit must go to Erik ten Hag, with Henry claiming that the Dutchman is a “genius” who has transformed the Red Devils in just six months:

“I am happy that Arsenal won and they deserved to win after the performance in the second half but boy, Manchester United look different under Ten Hag. I will be honest, I am a big fan of Ten Hag. He is the coach I recommended to Laporta at Barcelona after Ronald Koeman was sacked. He is a genius Today [Sunday we saw a team with three years development vs a team with six months. Also, a team with a full week of rest against a team with two days rest, and still Manchester United went toe to toe, which was surprising.”

“I thought Arsenal would be all over United from kick-off and United’s players would sit back. I was wrong. United in fact had better control in the first half. You give Ten Hag one more year and back him in the market, then 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 under Alex Ferguson.”

United fans will be delighted that Barcelona rejected Henry’s recommendation to hire ten Hag. The 52-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong so entering the doors at Carrington back in the summer.

Although there have been some major setbacks (such as the 4-0 defeat to Brentford back in August), the team has already begun to play some excellent football under his guidance.

Considering how desperate the situation was under Ralf Rangnick’s tenure, it is remarkable how quickly things can turn around with just a few changes in personnel and having the right manager in charge.