6 things in Ten Hag’s in-tray as new Man Utd boss jets in to start work today

Erik ten Hag has bowed out at Ajax by winning the league title and is now UK-bound to start work as Manchester United’s new manager, with plenty of tasks awaiting him at Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag is en route to British shores for his first day of work as Manchester United manager.

The new Red Devils boss only bowed out at Ajax yesterday, receiving a heartfelt farewell following a 2-2 draw at Vitesse. Ten Hag’s team had already wrapped up their third league title in four completed seasons under his watch, and the 51-year-old will be hoping to deliver similar success with his new side.

Mirror Football understands that Ten Hag will fly to England on Monday, wasting no time in beginning his Old Trafford revolution. But with interim manager Ralf Rangnick in charge until United’s final match of a miserable campaign away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, he’ll have to be patient in properly getting down to business. Still, there’s plenty for him to get on with away from Carrington.

With that in mind, here are six things which Ten Hag will find in his in tray ahead of his first day in the UK.

1. Assemble his staff

Try as he might, Erik ten Hag won’t fix Manchester United alone. The Dutch tactician has garnered acclaimed for his work in the Netherlands, especially at Ajax. But what was key to his success in Amsterdam was those he surrounded himself with, working alongside shrewd operators at every level.

While Marc Overmars’ tenure as director of football at the Johan Cruyff Arena ended in controversy, Old Trafford chief John Murtough would do well to replicate his good work from behind the scenes. And the Red Devils are also set to allow Ten Hag’s right-hand man at Ajax, Mitchell van der Gaag, to follow him alongside Steve McClaren, formerly Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at United from 1999 to 2001.

But Ten Hag may not be done there, with fitness Alessandro Schoenmaker linked with a move to Manchester. Ajax’s head of performance is a trusted confidant of his and also worked with McClaren at Newcastle and Derby County. Given Ralf Rangnick’s complaints about the squad’s lack of physicality, Schoenmaker’s addition could be a great benefit to Ten Hag.

2. Speak to Rangnick

Despite being appointed the new head coach of the Austrian national time, Rangnick has assured Red Devils supporters that he’ll be following up on his promise of being a consultant at Old Trafford for at least two years. The German has been vocal regarding what needs to change at United, making Ten Hag’s job much clearer from an outside perspective.

However, the pair are yet to sit down for a face-to-face chat, something which could easily be done inside the walls of their Carrington training complex. Rangnick will no-doubt have plenty to say, with topics ranging from issues within the dressing room – which recently boiled over to an alleged training-ground bust-up – to the difficulty of the boardroom.

3. Who’s in and who’s out

Once Rangnick hands over his dossier and lays out their key issues, Ten Hag will run the rule over the Red Devils’ bloated squad list to decide who stays and who goes. First up are the likes of Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani, all of whom are set to leave the club when their contracts expire next month.

Juan Mata, Lee Grant and Nemanja Matic are also expected to follow, helping ease the wage budget and bring down the average age of the star-studded roster. But a number of contracted players are uncertain of their future, with goalkeepers David de Gea and Dean Henderson still vying for the long-term No.1 shirt and Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka linked with moves away to name but a few.

Of course Donny van de Beek will also return from an injury-plagued loan spell with Everton, having made his name at Ajax under Ten Hag’s tutelage. The 25-year-old will spy an opportunity to impress over pre-season, with midfield an area in dire need of reinforcements this summer.

4. The Ronaldo conundrum

Speaking of uncertain futures, one man’s time as a United player is taking most of the limelight. Cristiano Ronaldo is still banging in the goals at 37 years of age, scoring 24 this term, but his inability to make an impact out of possession will be problematic for Ten Hag in the long-term.

However, Mirror Football also understands that the new manager is keen to keep five-time Ballon d’Or winner around for the final year of his deal, with his mind-boggling statistics impossible to ignore in a goal-shy team. Ten Hag confirmed as much after his final game, declaring: “What I have to say about [the job] is, the detailed analysis still has to begin, I still have to work with the team.

“But let me be clear that at United there are a lot of good players around. We have to make them function as a team but definitely Ronaldo, he is a giant because of everything he has shown so far and because of how ambitious he is. I want to keep him, of course. He has been very important for this club and can produce great stats.”

The feeling is mutual, too, as Ronaldo told his club’s website after winning April’s Premier League Player of the Month award: “What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he’s an experienced coach. But we need to give him time. Things need to change the way he wants.

“I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best. We are happy and excited, not only as players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let’s believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies.”

5. Transfer talks

To win those trophies Ronaldo and desire, there’s no doubt that some new faces will be needed around the dressing room. While their technical quality has rarely been questioned, a lack of leaders and athleticism has cost United of late, highlighting exactly what Ten Hag should be focussing on.

But the man he wants to kick off his recruitment drive is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. Another star of his Ajax side which reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, the silky midfielder would compliment the grafting Fred and Scott McTominay in the centre of the pitch, although isn’t in the mould of England duo Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, who the Red Devils have also been linked with.

Not only that, it’s been reported that Ten Hag wants to sign a centre-back and versatile attacker, both of which could also come from his now former club. Defender Jurrien Timber and winger Antony would fit the respective bills, while Villarreal ace Pau Torres and Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez have also been tipped for big-money transfers. One thing the Red Devils hierarchy need to remember: it shouldn’t be decided on who’ll sell the most shirts.

Have your say! Will Ten Hag bring the glory days back to Man Utd? Give us your prediction here.

6. Ticket to Selhurst Park

After six days of getting used to his new surroundings and undoubtedly a host of promotional photo shoots, Ten Hag can make the journey to watch United face off against Crystal Palace on Sunday at Selhurst Park. Rangnick’s side should be trying desperately to impress their new boss or, more importantly, to give their hardy travelling fans the send-off they deserve.

While the 20-time English champions are guaranteed to tally their lowest points total in Premier League history, it could be multiple players’ last chance to shine before another seismic summer at Old Trafford.