What eight players have said about Erik ten Hag as Ajax boss closes in on Man Utd job

 

Erik ten Hag is expected to be appointed as Manchester United’s next permanent boss, and his former and current players have detailed what life is like working under the Dutch coach

Erik ten Hag is edging closer to being named as Manchester United ’s next manager and with his impending arrival comes an air of anticipation from the fans and players about what to expect from the Ajax coach.

No one knows better than what life is like working with Ten Hag on a daily basis than his current and former players. And a pattern that appears to follow Ten Hag’s work, whichever club he works at, is the glowing reviews his players have left after playing under his management.

The 52-year-old is poised to sign a four-year contract in the coming weeks after verbally agreeing to personal terms with the Red Devils. He will be the fourth permanent manager at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013

Ten Hag’s work at Ajax has earned him a certain pedigree in European football as well as in the Netherlands. He has guided the Dutch giants to two Eredivisie titles and could complete a third this season, as well as steering his side to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19.

But it is his work on the training ground, ability to improve players and nurture promising talent which has caught the eye of the Man United hierarchy. It remains to be seen how he will approach a United dressing room amid reports of a backlash from inside Old Trafford.

So, what can the Red Devils expect from their potential new boss? Mirror Football gives you the lowdown on what his former players have said about Ten Hag and life under the Dutchman.

Steven Berghuis

The former Watford midfielder recently made a controversial move from rivals Feyenoord to join Ajax and the 30-year-old feels he has upped his game working under Ten Hag since his summer switch. But more importantly, he has been able to expand his versatility under his new manager.

“The fact that I have been able to develop myself under Ten Hag in several positions is also satisfying,” he said. “I was regarded as nothing more than a right winger, but this manager has used my qualities in slightly different positions.