Man Utd: Erik ten Hag would not be wanted by any of the Premier League’s top four, says Carragher

None of the Premier League’s top four sides would swap their current managers for new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, says Jamie Carragher.

Ten Hag was finally unveiled as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent successor on Thursday after weeks of speculation, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract at Old Trafford.

The Ajax head coach has a huge rebuilding job on his hands with United, who are currently languishing down in sixth place in the Premier League after winning just 15 games out of 33 this season.

The Premier League top four wouldn’t swap their bosses for Erik ten Hag, says Jamie Carragher

He arrives with a solid reputation after steering the Dutch club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and two Eredivisie titles – which could increase to three if they remain top after their final five games of the current campaign.

However, Carragher believes the greatest challenge Ten Hag will face at United comes in the shape of his opposite numbers at Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham. 

The former Liverpool defender wrote in his column for The Telegraph: ‘Erik ten Hag faces four major problems upon taking over at Manchester United. Their names are Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

‘No matter how good Ten Hag is or proves to be at Old Trafford, he must take on and beat the best coaches in the world. That is tough enough without having to start afresh with a squad overhaul.

Ten Hag was finally unveiled as Man United head coach on Thursday after weeks of speculation

But Carragher feels the Dutchman is already at a disadvantage while up against Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp, Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola (left to right)

‘For all the excitement at another United rebuild, the reality is none of those currently occupying the top four would swap their coach for Ten Hag.

‘The Dutchman must also reverse another worrying United trend. The club has become a graveyard for managers and players. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, no-one has gone there and improved their reputation.

‘Ten Hag must overcome a weight of history which some of the most accomplished coaches of this and previous generations have found unbearable. The United job chews up coaches in a way it does not at their European and domestic rivals.’

Ten Hag needs to undergo a squad revamp upon arrival at United this summer. Out-of-contract stars Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata look certain to be on their way out, while a number of other underperforming players may need to be offloaded.

Midfield appears the position most in need of strengthening, as Pogba’s departure will leave the incoming boss with Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic as his only deeper-lying options.

Carragher also doubts any young English prospects will want to sign for the Red Devils

The Liverpool legend says Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice (left and right) should ‘run a mile’ if United come calling

The likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham have been heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford over the past few years, yet Carragher doesn’t expect any young English prospects to fancy joining United right now. 

‘It is hard to to think of any United purchase of the last nine years who has improved since arriving at Old Trafford. Even those who made an encouraging start have gone backwards,’ he continued.

‘When Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho joined United, there was a sense the club was going in the right direction with young English talent. Now they look terrified to play at Old Trafford.

‘If I was Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham observing their England team-mates’ troubles – unless my motivation was a big payday – I would run a mile if United called.’