Erik ten Hag will be in the Man United dugout at the start of next season, and former Red Devil Daley Blind backs the Dutchman to be a success. However, he has sent a clear warning to the United board.
Ten Hag won the Eredivisie with Ajax last Wednesday. The Dutchman guided his team to league glory with one game to spare, defeating Heerenveen 5-0 at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
The Eredivisie season ended on Sunday. Ten Hag then instantly turned his attention to his latest task. After Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Vitesse, he conducted an interview with the Dutch publication de Telegraaf.
He said: “There’s a lot of work to be done there [at United]. Of course. There’s a lot of work at every club. A manager’s job is especially focused on the preparations for next season. And there’s a lot of work to be done in that regard.”
Erik ten Hag’s to-do list
Manchester United will finish either sixth or seventh in the Premier League this season. Either Europa League or the Europa Conference League lie ahead for the Red Devils.
This is vastly different from what many had predicted or hoped for. The summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho were meant to transform United into title challengers, but that hasn’t been the case.
In addition, many Red Devils players are set to depart Old Trafford this summer. Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata are just four players expected to leave in a summer exodus at Old Trafford.
But perhaps the number of players departing is a blessing for Erik ten Hag. It gives the Dutchman a blank canvas to work with.
United’s priorities are in the spine of the team. Edinson Cavani is also expected to leave, and ten Hag cannot rely on 37-year-old Ronaldo to play every minute in a busy fixture schedule. A striker is a must.
A central midfielder is also a necessary addition. Donny van de Beek, who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, will potentially come back into the fold, but the Reds appear light in that area with Pogba and Matic’s imminent departure.
Finally, a centre-back would be a welcome addition for supporters. Harry Maguire’s indifferent form and the fitness woes of Varane and Eric Bailly have left Victor Lindelof as the club’s only fit centre-back at times this season. Bolstering the heart of their defence would undoubtedly improve the fortunes of United next season.
Blind backs ten Hag to succeed at Man United
Former Man United defender Daley Blind has played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and has backed his now-former boss to be a success at Old Trafford. However, he has sent the United board a warning.
He said: “Erik ten Hag is a great guy. I am quite confident in him at Manchester United, but he needs the board behind him. At Ajax, he had [Edwin] van der Sar and [Marc] Overmars behind him no matter what, also in bad times.
“I hope he gets the time there; he is one of the best managers around.”
Ten Hag will hope to hit the ground running at Manchester United. His commitment and diligent approach to coaching could well see him reverse the fortunes of this historic club.
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