The Dutch manager of club side Ajax has signed a 5 year deal to manage MUFC, and he will take over once this season ends.
Ten Hag is known for emphasizing physical tenacity and intensity, and he likes to utilize younger players to achieve that style of play. He has typically employed the 4-3-3 this season for the Dutch champions, and he will likely continue that approach when he comes to United. He wants every single player in his XI to be technically gifted with the ball as well. He has won several trophies in the Netherlands, including two Eredivisie titles. He has no managerial record in England, but it seems that he knows how to win on the continent. His biggest challenge will be changing the current toxic culture of the locker room. I want to see him instill some competitive drive in these players. The lack of desire to win has been United’s undoing several times this season, and that must change. Do we need a new club captain? Maybe, and that will be one of things he needs to decide on.
This next transfer window over the summer will be vital for his plans. There will be a lot of turnover from this disappointing season, and it could be as many as 10 players coming in/going out as the rebuild goes on. Along with current manager Ralf Rangnick and sporting/technical directors John Murtough and Darren Fletcher, he will be in charge of implementing a coherent transfer policy. For too long, United have simply purchased players that they thought were good players. There was no consideration for whether or not those players fit a given manager’s system (Cristiano Ronaldo, for example). It is my hope that Ten Hag bucks that trend. He needs to say to the directors, “Right, this is how we’re going to play. I want these players because I think they’re going to fit that style the best. I want to get rid of these other players because they don’t fit the style of play. Make it happen.”
But of course, I question just how sustained any kind of success will be with the current ownership. It seems that Ten Hag has had his concerns about funding assuaged, but it will take sustained investment from the Glazers if United wants to return to it’s glory days. So far, in the 7 managers we have had since 2012, that has not happened.
I wish nothing but the best of luck to Ten Hag. He’s going to need it.
4-4-2 