Erik ten Hag: 4 issues facing Dutchman at Manchester United
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Four things in Erik ten Hag in-tray
Erik ten Hag started his first day as Manchester United manager last week with plenty on his plate.
The Dutchman signed a three-year contract in April and arrived at Carrington with his assistant Steve McClaren for the start of pre-season training.
Erik ten Hag has arrived at Man Utd's training ground as a new era begins at Old Trafford 💪
What pre-season challenges does the new manager face? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/b48GlhONmn
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 27, 2022
The 52-year-old spent over four successful years at Ajax but faces a huge task turning around United’s fortunes.
Ladbrokes sift through the Erik ten Hag in-tray at United who are facing a tough task to qualify for next season’s Champions League for which they are 11/8.
Change the culture
Ten Hag is known for his excellent man-management skills and that is just as well with what awaits him at Old Trafford.
🇳🇱 Made in the Netherlands. Ready for Manchester.
🔴 Erik ten Hag's next step is United.#MUFC || #WelcomeErik pic.twitter.com/SwsCwFja10
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 21, 2022
Players have thrown successive managers under the bus rather than accept accountability for their performances.
The perception has been that these players are more interested in piling up likes on social media than points on the pitch, and Ten Hag must change that dressing-room culture and turn a group of individuals into a proper team.
Address Ronaldo future
Cristiano Ronaldo scored 21 goals in his second coming, but his frustration rose as performance levels plunged.
His return in August from under the noses of Manchester City was hailed as a huge coup. One of the greatest ever to play the game was back ‘home’ to lift standards.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who still has a year left on his contract, has been linked with a move to Chelsea, but Manchester United expect him to be part of the squad for the forthcoming season.
However, it remains to be seen how the 37-year-old Portuguese will fit in with Ten Hag’s plans for a high-pressing game he deployed at Ajax.
Clear out the dead wood
Ten Hag was expected to show a ruthless streak by clearing out some of the United players that were not delivering, but the only players to leave the club are those whose contracts have expired.
The most significant is midfielder Paul Pogba, who is set to return to Juventus on a free transfer for a second time.
Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani have also followed Pogba through the exit door and question marks remain over the futures of Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly, Donny Van De Beek and Phil Jones.
Get recruitment right
Recruitment has been nothing short of a disaster since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
United have recorded a £900million net spend over the past 10 seasons with very little to show for it, so this is one area the club must get right.
Ten Hag has been linked with several players from his former club Ajax, the most high profile being Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to join the club from Barcelona.
Brazilian winger Antony could also make a move to Old Trafford from the Dutch club, while United are also thought to be interested in defender Lisandro Martinez.
United are also involved in a two-horse race with Brentford to sign Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, so the signs are looking optimistic they can finally get bodies in that will improve the squad.
