For several players at Manchester United, the appointment of Erik ten Hag may be viewed as a fresh start and a new era at the club.
Ten Hag is poised to take the reins at Old Trafford after verbally agreeing a four-year contract with the Red Devils. It is expected in the coming weeks that the Dutchman will sign his contract once the clubs agree on a compensation package once the hiring process is complete.
There are many attributes that the 52-year-old has in his repertoire which makes him an ideal candidate to succeed Ralf Rangnick. The Ajax coach has a proven track record of winning trophies, playing attractive football and working efficiently in the transfer market.
But Ten Hag’s ability to guide his players with a nurturing hand rather than give them the cold shoulder leaves a positive effect with his players — and that could prove crucial to a Man United squad lacking in confidence.
His former player Boudewijn Pahlpatz told Sky Sports : "He was always good with players. He always protects them. He can be hard with players but players are always very positive about him - even players who don't play or players who leave to go to another club. They all say he is a good coach and a good person."
But who could benefit the most from his appointment next season at Old Trafford? Mirror Football looks at five under-fire players set to reap the rewards…
Have Your Say! Will Marcus Rashford improve under Erik ten Hag? Comment below.
Marcus Rashford
Out of contract in 14 months and out of form, there is a bleak outlook for Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford. And that is why this summer may prove to be his most important so far in resurrecting his career under Ten Hag.
The 24-year-old has scored only five goals in all competitions after struggling to rediscover his best form for United. Rashford has looked rudderless, out of ideas and emotionally drained after returning from a shoulder injury in October.
There is little doubt Ten Hag would want to keep him around and try to help him find his goalscoring touch again in pre-season, rather than lose him on a free transfer in 2023. He only needs to see how Sebastien Haller has turned his fortunes around under the Dutch coach to believe it could happen with him too.
Jadon Sancho
When he made his £73million move to United in July last year, Sancho probably would have expected more from his debut season than five goals and three assists in all competitions. His return to England has perhaps raised more issues than he might have thought, but the 22-year-old has shown signs of improvement.
And that gradual adaptation to playing in the Premier League will put him in good stead when Ten Hag arrives. The Dutchman, like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, sticks to his own form of a 4-3-3. And that could prove to benefit Sancho in the long-term after struggling to adjust to the 4-2-2-2 under Rangnick.
Another player who has struggled under the mental burden, Sancho could use some words of wisdom from Ten Hag to fight off criticism from outside the club and prove he is no expensive flop after a challenging first season back in England.
Donny van de Beek
The only member of the current squad to have worked under Ten Hag, Van de Beek may feel that his nightmare 18-month spell at Old Trafford was all worth it if it means waiting for his former mentor.
He was shipped off on loan to Everton in January to help the midfielder have some fighting chance of making the Netherlands squad for the World Cup in Qatar this year. But with just four Premier League starts to his name in United colours since his £35m move from Ajax, Van de Beek had rightly feared for his future.
But Ten Hag knows him and trusts him, having given him an important role in their run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final, and could revive his Red Devils career. More significantly, he believes in his ability — something that couldn’t be said for neither Ole Gunnar Solskjaer nor Ralf Rangnick.
Harry Maguire
It remains possible that the Man United captain can turn around his fortunes at Old Trafford and Ten Hag may prove to be the manager to unlock his best form. The 29-year-old has endured a difficult season which has fuelled speculation regarding his future.
Maguire is by no means a poor player — that was reflected in his rise with Leicester City and England in 2018. But he is evidently lacking in confidence, pointing to a temporary dip in form for the club.
But as Ten Hag has done several times before, he may think about taking Maguire under his wing and reminding the centre-back that the club paid £80m for him for a reason. Ten Hag’s excellence in building up play from the back could also help Maguire, who has made some critical errors when doing so this season.
Luke Shaw
Ten Hag will be the fourth permanent boss Shaw has played under at United after joining the club eight years ago from Southampton. And finally, he will be relieved to have a coach who seemingly combines the best attributes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer.
There is something to be said for how Shaw and Maguire have been hindered by England’s performance at the Euros last year. But the left-back, who had become a regular under Solskjaer, will be desperate to find that level again.
He has lost his place to Alex Telles this season and the fight is truly on for the 26-year-old to win back his spot. Ten Hag may recognise that Shaw is a vulnerable character and provide some encouragement to help him to put this season behind him.
