Erik ten Hag has reportedly flown into London and could be in attendance at Selhurst Park on Sunday as Manchester United make the trip to Crystal Palace for their final Premier League game of the season.
The Dutchman, who was appointed United manager in April on an initial three-year contract, is set to hold crunch talks with his new colleagues as he kicks off his Red Devils reign. Ten Hag is supported by his long-serving assistant Mitchell van der Gaag, whom he worked alongside at Ajax.
The duo are aiming to change United's fortunes after a dismal season which has seen them miss out on silverware and Champions League qualification - and could even end in a seventh-place finish and a spot in the Europa Conference League. Ten Hag refused to head off on holiday after winning the Eredivisie title and instead travelled to the United Kingdom via private jet on Wednesday evening.
That is according to the Daily Mail , which claims Ten Hag and Van der Gaag may have the chance to watch their new side in the flesh this weekend as the Eagles welcome them to South London. While the new United manager is preparing for meetings with the Old Trafford hierarchy, he has already held one of his own.
The 52-year-old held talks in Amsterdam last week with Steve McClaren, the former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson whom he worked alongside at Dutch side Twente. The Englishman, 61, is expected to be unveiled as a member of the new regime at United ahead of the new season.
Club legend Rio Ferdinand is excited about the potential appointment as he has no doubt McClaren knows "what it takes to win". The former England defender told his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel: "I think he (McClaren) is coming in as a coach, a shoulder to lean on, somebody who can give advice at the right times. Maybe eyes and ears.
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"In terms of judging him from his management in previous years gone by, I don't think it's irrelevant. What you do get with Steve McClaren is someone who is a football man, loves that game, is so enthusiastic, meticulous, cares about the details.
"Not just from a football point of view but also mentally, and he understands what it takes at Man United to win. That's important." McClaren was Ferguson's assistant between early 1999 and 2001, helping United clinch the continental treble consisting of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
