Following his first trophy as Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has penned a heartfelt and inspiring open letter to the club’s fans.
The Dutchman led United to their first trophy in six years by winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday evening, one of the last pieces of silverware they won back in 2017, with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle.
More importantly, the 53-year-old has well and truly won over the Old Trafford faithful not only with his results but his style of football, man management and overall attitude when it comes to the job.
Writing his letter on Monday morning, not even 24 hours after having lifted the League Cup, ten Hag took to thanking the fans for their support both inside Wembley and around the world, but also making it clear that this is just the beginning.
✍️ To all Manchester United supporters…
If this heartfelt message from Erik doesn't give you goosebumps, nothing will ❤️#MUFC || #CarabaoCup
ten Hag’s open letter will be music to the ears of Man United fans everywhere.
He began by stating: “When I arrived at the club, we spoke about the challenge and importance of reuniting this group of players with our amazing fans.
“Believe me, this squad knows exactly how important you are. The bond between the supporters and the team is there for everyone to see and what we experienced together yesterday will only further strengthen that bond.
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“The atmosphere generated by those of you at Wembley was incredible. From the first minute until the last you were there with us, driving the team on, supporting and encouraging them to get over the line to bring the trophy back to Manchester.”
He also made sure to recognise the countless fans who couldn’t get a ticket for the final, adding: “For those of you who couldn’t be there, we felt your support before, during and after the game. Know that each and every one of you will always play your part in this team being successful.”
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Speaking to the media after the game, it was apparent that the former Ajax man felt that bond and connection with the fans from minute one, declaring, “I just love United… this is the right club for me — I want to be part of it.” If that doesn’t get you, we’re not sure anything will.
🗣 "I just 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 United. This team wants to make it's own history." ❤️
Erik ten Hag reflects on why he wanted to become the Manchester United manager pic.twitter.com/y9cIlTxJxn
He went on to state how proud he is of his “players and staff for their preparation and performances, noting that the final showed both him and the fans “the required desire, spirit and determination that we must demand of everyone who represents Manchester United.”
Insisting that the team continue to set themselves the highest of standards day in, day out, he said the group “know the importance of silverware throughout the history of this great club” and while they were happy to win their first trophy together, they are “by no means satisfied and will not stop here.”
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“Together we have experienced the feeling of what it means to win together for Manchester United. It is truly magnificent and will only make each of us hungrier for more success.
“This group has made great strides in the last few months but there is still a lot more to come. I can assure you that everyone at Carrington will be working constantly because we know that this club and you, our supporters, deserve more great days like this.
Putting that first piece of silverware behind him already, ten Hag concluded his open letter by assuring United supporters that the club’s main goal now is to stay focused and keep pushing.
“We will go back to work today, with [the] full focus now on preparing to face West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday evening. There will be no complacency in our desire to return this club back to where we want to be.
“Please know that you are vital to what we want to achieve and take yesterday as proof of what can happen when we are all United together. Thank you for your support and dedication”.
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We have a feeling ten Hag and United are going to have a very long and successful love affair.
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Featured Images — Jody Hartley (supplied via SH Comms)
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Bruno Guimaraes’ talks over potential move to Manchester United this summer said to be ‘true’
Danny Jones
With the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign fast approaching, eyes are already shifting towards next season and the upcoming transfer window, and one player who has already been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer is Bruno Guimaraes.
Currently the captain at Newcastle, it’s fair to say it would take some doing to swap Uniteds, but stranger things have happened.
Man United seem to be linked with a new midfielder almost every week at this point, with several names floating around in the same sentence as Old Trafford, but this is one that looks to have increasing traction to it.
With talks between the club and Bruno Guimaraes’ representation having reportedly taken place over the past month or so, some have even gone as far as to claim that discussions have already progressed to an ‘advanced’ stage.
🚨 BREAKING:
A meeting took place a few weeks ago between the agents of Bruno G & Manchester United!
As per ever-reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, while he refuted the claims that any direct negotiations have taken place with Newcastle themselves, he stated that “a meeting did take place in recent weeks.”
Believed to have happened a little while ago, rather than more recently, as some reports have suggested, he went on to add that “the information from Brazil is accurate: a meeting was held, and United maintain a good relationship with the agency.”
He also qualified that although it is true that Guimaraes is admired by those at Carrington, he is among a number of shortlisted candidates that they could potentially bring in from June onwards.
For instance, names such as Elliot Anderson, previously pursued Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton, as well as two Wolves players and even Bruno’s midfield partner Sandro Tonali have all been rumoured.
However, it’s thought that the 28-year-old Brazilian international and compatriot is the only one that current cog in the middle of the park, Casemiro, is said to have ‘personally’ recommended.
That’s according to the likes of Sports Illustrated, ESPN and others, who say that the veteran midfielder and fellow national teammate has put his Bruno G as the man to follow in his footsteps and fill the key central position when he eventually departs.
Meanwhile, with Bruno Fernandes still the talisman for the Red Devils, you would imagine he wouldn’t mind having another Portuguese-speaking playmaker alongside him.
Whether or not the Magpies secure another year in at least one of UEFA’s continental tournaments will factor into his decision to stay long-term or not remains to be seen, but the feeling is that he could be allowed to leave if they miss out on the Champions League.
As for selling to a relative rival in the table these days, on the other hand, it would likely take some fee for the North East side to let one of their most important stars leave St James Park.
Then again, it looks like Manchester United aren’t willing to simply settle for just the Europa League, given their upturn in form under Michael Carrick, and were they to end up back in all four competitions next year, they could do with all the strength in depth possible.
Danny Jones -
27th February 2023 
