Bafana Bafana star Bongokuhle Hlongwane's new manager in the US has made his feelings known on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after leaving the Dutchman's backroom staff earlier this month.
Former Red Devils player development and set-piece coach Eric Ramsay got off to winning ways in his new role in Major League Soccer, guiding Minnesota United to a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC on Sunday.
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Hlongwane made quite the impression for his new boss in the tie, coming on as a second-half substitute to score the second goal to ensure that his side remains top of the MLS Western Conference table.
Ramsay formed part of the backroom staff at Old Trafford prior to his current role, having been appointed to that role by former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in July 2021. The 32-year-old went on to serve the club under Ralf Rangnick and current Red Devils head coach Ten Hag.
Having been a part of the Dutchman's technical team for one-and-a-half seasons, Ramsay – who became the youngest manager ever in MLS history upon joining Minnesota – has now lavished praise on the former Ajax Amsterdam tactician amid recurring speculation over the latter's future at Old Trafford next season.
"(Erik) is obviously incredibly focused, has real conviction as to how he wants the team to play, how he feels the group should be managed, as you'd expect of anyone who hits that level as a manager," Ramsay told The Mirror.
"Obviously, he's had some difficult circumstances to deal with this year, so hopefully once that gets cleaned up then we're going to see the trajectory recaptured that we saw last year."
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Ramsay has previously worked in the academies of Chelsea, Shrewsbury, and Swansea City, in addition to his assistant manager role with the Wales national team.
Hlongwane, meanwhile, now has two goals in two MLS appearances this season, and has, overall, contributed to 31 strikes in 73 matches since joining Minnesota from Maritzburg United in January 2022.
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