So far this pre-season, Erik ten Hag has shown off his strengths as a manager at Manchester United. The Dutchman is a brilliant coach and a smart tactician and it's clear to see the impact he has had on the players already.
Those who have worked with, played under or just observed Ten Hag in Holland attested to that skillset. He's a hands-on presence on the training ground and United have played some slick, modern football during their friendlies this summer. They look to have taken a clear step forward.
But if there was a question mark around the 52-year-old it was his man management. His people skills aren't top of his list of strengths and he can be blunt and straightforward, not just with the media but with his own players.
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Karan Tejwani, author of Glorious Reinvention, a book on the transformation at Ajax in recent years, highlighted Ten Hag's strengths and weaknesses to the MEN just after his appointment.
"I spoke to a lot of players to learn more about him and they all said similar things, that he’s very meticulous, very detailed with his tactical work, he’s not a brilliant man-manager, he’s a bit more conservative in that regard, but he can promote his message across the squad," he said.
He won over his players at Ajax through his training ground acumen, which produced results, and United's squad have full faith in Ten Hag due to seeing the quality of his sessions this summer. They have worked on specific plans in training and seen those drills replicated in games, which gives a squad belief in their coaches.
Those man-management skills are yet to be truly tested, although that will soon change when the Premier League season kicks off against Brighton next Sunday.
Ten Hag doesn't have too many selection dilemmas hanging over him at the moment, but there are a couple that will require some careful management to ensure this is a squad that stays united.
There is more competition for places in central defence than anywhere else on the pitch and somebody is going to be disappointed. Victor Lindelof might have got used to a bit-part role - although ironically he could start next weekend - but Raphael Varane is a World Cup winner who left Real Madrid for United and that deal didn't include being dropped to the bench.
The Frenchman partnered Lisandro Martinez against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and that partnership won Ten Hag's praise. Martinez will soon force his way in and he's likely to partner captain Harry Maguire. If Varane is left out then it's fair to say Ten Hag will never have benched a bigger player in his career.
Rotation is less likely at centre-back so chances might be limited to the Europa League. It's going to be a test of Ten Hag's management skills, not just his coaching ability, to keep all four of those central defenders happy, and if poor form forces a change then how he deals with that will also be an essential early marker for his ability to keep the dressing room under his spell.
The players will be watching how Ten Hag handles Cristiano Ronaldo, as well. He gave him 45 minutes against Rayo Vallecano, which was as much as the player could have expected, but if he doesn't get his transfer away and as his fitness builds, reintegrating him into the side will be an issue for Ten Hag.
United have looked impressive with a front three of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, but if Ronaldo stays he will surely replace Martial in the team. Keeping Martial happy and confident will be essential given he is the only other forward at the club.
When Ten Hag was appointed United's players were enthused about his coaching track record, but there were always questions about his force of personality and his character for managing a club of this stature. In the next few weeks we'll find out more about those skills.
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