Erik ten Hag will be unveiled as Man United manager on Monday and he’s been saddled with the Herculean task of rebuilding the torn and tattered squad at the club.
Goalkeeper David de Gea was painfully truthful in admitting it will take a couple of years at least before Manchester United are in form to contend for the Premier League title.
United marked their longest trophy drought for 40 years this season while recording their lowest ever points total in a Premier League season. Erik ten Hag has joined the club on a three-year contract in the nick of time with the United job probably the biggest and most daunting challenge of his career so far.
Ten Hag was alongside football director John Murtough at Selhurst Park as United lost 1-0 against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The United side obligingly failed to trouble Palace throughout the match, although they still qualified for the Europa League.
The last time United won a trophy was in 2017 and that was in the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in Stockholm.
After Palace had trampled on the roses in United’s garden, De Gea was asked about the size of the task ahead for Ten Hag, and he candidly admitted it could take a few years before United contend for major honors again.
“I’m honest, it’s a big job for him,” De Gea told MUTV. “But he showed already with Ajax, he plays very good, attacking football, so that’s what we need.
“Hopefully with some new players, with the new manager and his staff, some new energy, the ones who are staying can fight together, to improve the team, to put the club as high as possible.
“I feel sad [for the fans]. It’s unbelievable, they stay to support the team, big thanks to them. The ones that come to Old Trafford, the ones that come to the away games, I know it’s not easy, but they’ve been amazing, so thank you very much.
“I’m proud [personal performances]. I’ve played every single minute in the Premier League. I was working hard in the summer, to be honest, to show my level, to help the team and I think I did well, but this is a team sport, so it doesn’t matter what I did.
“I think I helped the team in some games, but it wasn’t enough to get Champions League. Let’s have a rest and be 100 per cent prepared for next season. I believe it’s going to be much better, I trust in the new manager and in the new staff.”
“We can build something good, maybe not next year, but in a couple of years we can be a contender to win big things.”