Gary Neville described his old club as a “graveyard of fame” this week, and recent history suggests that Ten Hague should make the most of Sunday Cup final against PSV title rival Eindhoven, as he could be his last for a while. In many ways, Ajax is the polar opposite of modern-day Manchester United: a well-run club with a well-defined structure, a clear identity and a winning team. Sportsmail is looking at the challenges facing Ten Hague as he prepares to become the fifth full-time manager after Sir Alex Ferguson to try to bring United back to their former glory. Eric Ten Hague verbally agreed to take over as Manchester United manager this summer
Manage the big egos
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s approach with his arm around his shoulder did not work and Ralf Rangnick was undermined from the start by his temporary role. Previously, United had two strong personalities in Jose Mourinho and Luis van Haal, and there is already concern in the United staff about another Dutch coach, such as the legacy of Van Gaal’s authoritarian regime. Ten Hag is a skilled tactician best known for his attention to detail rather than his ability to manage humans. But this is a club that shouts for strong leadership and a clear ethic on and off the field under a coach who has the full support of his employers to do just that. Big egos will be a challenge for the Dutchman after working with a very young team in Ajax It takes a lot of rebuilding work at Old Trafford and it will be exciting to see how Ten Hag handles the big personalities who will remain next season, having worked with a basically young team at Ajax. Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has no doubt that his compatriot will break the whip, saying: “These players can no longer make excuses. They made so many coaches leave while playing so badly. “Now they have a manager who will be very clear and will present his plan. “Those who do not cooperate will be thrown out.” However, a source in Ajax’s dressing room told Sportsmail on Wednesday that Ten Hague’s decision to continue playing Daley Blind is proof that he could be influenced by the regime. “There was criticism against him because he played Blind just because of his last name, so we’re curious to see how he handles Cristiano Ronaldo and Co,” he said. Ten Hag will need more running, more sprints and more sweat from the star team
Make the toxic dressing room
The atmosphere in the United team has been limited to toxic at times this season and Ten Haag must restore harmony. Many players desperately want to leave, having been frustrated by the sidelines, and many will have to take their wish this summer. Regardless of who brings or leaves United, Ten Hague needs to create a more positive environment in the locker room to ensure that everyone moves in the same direction.
Overhaul of a failed team
Like his predecessors, Ten Hague will have a say in recruiting and vetoing any player he does not want. It is vital that United bring in the right new transfers as part of a belated rematch. The Ajax system that Ten Hague will leave behind is admired all over the world as an example of how to build a club. United is a club in disarray and needs a fresh start with a coach allowed to be rebuilt The United team, on the other hand, is a Frankenstein monster combined with five different coaches, which lacks a clear identity. The players have been hoarded and held on lucrative contracts that make it difficult to get rid of them, causing the team and a club to stagnate. United need to get rid of the dead wood and rebuild, and Ten Hague will play a key role in this process along with football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
Make the most of the potential
The 52-year-old has built a reputation for nurturing a vibrant young team at Ajax and United hope he can have a similar effect at Old Trafford. Like Pep Guardiola – with whom he worked at Bayern Munich – Ten Hague has the ability to improve players and that has not happened enough at United in recent years. Ten Hag will be called in to improve players like Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka Marcus Rasford is a prime example of a player struggling to reach his full potential and Harry Maguire, Donnie van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are the latest new transfers to make big moves and then go backwards. United have never found a way to get the best out of Paul Pogba. Jadon Sancho has recovered from a poor start, Fred is beating his critics and Anthony Elanga has been a rare success for United this season, but too many of their teammates are playing inside.
Turn on the team
Ten Hag’s high-pressure, aggressive play is similar to Pep Guardiola, but requires a tremendous amount of work from his players. Rangnik tried it, but the tactic was exhausted before the halftime of his first game against Crystal Palace, and he lamented the lack of aggression in last weekend’s defeat by Everton. Ten Hague needs more running, more sprints and more sweat from United if he is to have a chance to close the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool.
