Manchester United are close to finalising the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their next permanent boss.
Ajax boss ten Hag, 52, met with United bosses last month to talk about becoming their new manager and is the leading candidate to take the job on a permanent basis this summer. Despite being dissuaded from taking the job by former United boss and fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal, ESPN have led reports on Wednesday that ten Hag's appointment is now being finalised.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino had also been in the frame for the post. Pochettino had initially been the favourite for the United job, as reported in February. Mirror Football later revealed that the Argentine was the preferred candidate among the players in United’s dressing room. Pochettino had also met with United officials, following on from the club’s talks with ten Hag – but the club appear to have settled on the Dutchman. With that in mind, this is the Ajax coach’s United blueprint.
Consistent tactical shape
United’s squad was built primarily to play a 4-2-3-1 system – which was preferred by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and which was the shape used most prominently by Ralf Rangnick. While other formations such as 3-5-2 and 4-2-2-2 were occasionally adapted, they were swiftly abandoned.
This is ideal for ten Hag, whose Ajax side have played 4-2-3-1 in 29 of their 36 matches across the Eredivisie and Champions League this campaign – including in all eight of their European fixtures. This can sometimes rotate in-game to 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, but it is variations around the same idea depending on whether the side are in or out of possession. This means that Ten Hag’s preferred system already has the players in place at Old Trafford, so there would be minimal disruption.
Clear playing philosophy
Perhaps the biggest charge that has been levelled at United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired is their lack of any clear, identifiable playing style.
Solskjaer implemented elements of counter-attacking football during his three years in charge and Rangnick was famed previously for his high-energy, high-pressing style of play. Yet all too often – these ideas were not clear when watching United play.
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Ten Hag’s preference is different still and his priority is for a higher possession style of play. While this is embodied by Ajax as a club, perhaps partly explaining his significant success in Amsterdam, there would be a similarity in approach at Old Trafford should he be appointed. After all, this has proven so successful in the Champions League – a stage where United have continually underperformed over the past decade.
While there are overlaps with Louis van Gaal's approach, Ten Hag has greater focus on risk-taking and attacking football while he would also have a higher-skilled squad at his disposal – meaning that concerns over a stale possession-obsessed style of play should not resurface.
Van de Beek reprieve?
Ten Hag will have to make a decision over the future of multiple United first-team squad players, with somewhat of a clearout expected at Old Trafford. The most obvious connection between Ten Hag and United is Donny van de Beek, who switched Ajax for Old Trafford last year. The midfielder made 175 appearances under the boss, scoring 41 goals, and thriving in the role he was given in the side.
Ten Hag said of the 24-year-old prior to his exit from the Amsterdam-based club to United: "Donny has become an absolute star for us. He has developed into a modern midfielder, with depth, goals and a strong transition to both sides."
However, things have not gone to plan for van de Beek at United and he joined Everton on loan in January – but is expected to return this summer. Will ten Hag be able to oversee a revival of his fortunes in English football, or will he make a ruthless decision on his former star?
United’s Dutch connection
Ten Hag’s imminent appointment has generated speculation that a number of his Dutch compatriots with United links may return to the club. The ESPN report suggested that Rene Meulensteen may form part of his coaching team. Meulensteen coached United’s youth team between 2001 and 2006, before spending six years as a first-team coach in Sir Alex Ferguson’s setup.
Mirror Football exclusively reported that former United striker Robin van Persie had been sounded out by ten Hag about possibly linking up with him on his new-look coaching staff at Old Trafford. Former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is CEO of Ajax and had previously been linked to a non-playing role back in Manchester. The former shot-stopper has enjoyed success in his role in Amsterdam and has claimed he could only swap the club for United, for whom he played over six seasons.
Van Der Sar told ESPN last year: "The pressure is different and I won't work at a club where I don't have a feeling. I could only do this for Ajax or United. I would not work for any other clubs. I am really happy with how we have [developed] Ajax in the last couple of years. We had ambitions 10 years ago to reach the top of Europe. We have reached that. We had to work really hard, we don't have a rich owner and the government didn't help us."
