Dutchman and former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is truly relishing the challenge of getting the 20-time champions fit and fighting for major honors again. No mean task by any and all standards, as he knows fully well what is required from him and his squad that’s already beginning to be put through a major reshuffle almost from the ground up.
Ten Hag is also looking forward to working especially with Cristiano Ronaldo in full determination to restore Manchester United to their former glory – tangible success the Glazer family have apparently communicated to the new manager they want and expect.
It’s already been a long and tiresome nine years of vicissitudes since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, with clearly more downs than ups at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman now ending up as the sixth manager to take the hotseat since the Scot retired.
United have truly not been anywhere near the form fitting to launch a sustained Premier League title bid since then and former Ajax tactical supremo Ten Hag is fully relishing the challenge of getting the 20-time champions fighting for major honors again.
“Manchester United is a big name,” the Dutchman told the PA news agency. “It’s a real challenge to get them again restored to where they belong. I am highly motivated to get that done.
“We want to win every game and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is.
“I think that belongs to the status of Manchester United and that is what we will do. That will be the demand of the squad and of every player.”
Admittedly United have not won any silverware since 2017 – and even then nothing major – and Ten Hag has taken over the reins at a time when insurgent fan anger is almost palpable against the owners.
Crippled and furious with the avalanche of debts, dividends paid out to the Glazers and perceived mismanagement, the multitudes of supporters were almost militant in protesting against the Glazer family during the final home matches of last season.
When queried if he had spoken to the Glazer family and sought any form of assurance from the owners, United boss Ten Hag said: “Yes, I have spoken with them.
“They told me they want to get success and that it is the only thing they want. That is what they expect from me, to bring the success.”
Ten Hag has also reinforced that he definitely sees frustrated star Ronaldo as an important cog in their quest for that glory that has long eluded the club. And even when the 37-year-old made a shock, yet glorious, return to Old Trafford last summer, his undeniably impressive campaign on an individual level was still nowhere good enough to stop the Red Devils dismally slumping home in sixth, further incurring the vitriolic wrath of the impatient fans.
Notably this season’s obvious lack of Champions League football has not appeased Ronaldo, who it recently emerged has asked to be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer from competitors with Champions League eligibility status arrived. Thankfully it was a request from him and not a demand.
A purported family issue was proffered as his official reason to be precluded from United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, but Ten Hag made it a point to emphasize that Ronaldo is definitely in his vision for the season ahead.
“It is clear – he is not for sale,” he said after training in Melbourne. “I planned with (having) him and I am looking forward to working with him.
“But for the rest I cannot say anymore because the situation is still the same as last week.”
It will be interesting to see how Ronaldo fits into Ten Hag’s pressing style, so too the squad’s ability to adapt to that approach after interim boss Ralf Rangnick struggled to implement it last season.
“I cannot talk about what is in the past,” the meticulous Dutchman explained.
“I know only that I have my ideas, how I bring structure in a team and I do it in every topic of football.
“For me, pressing is an important factor. If you want to have initiative in a game I think it’s necessary.
“If you do that in a high block or in a low block, that is a tactic that can be both ways.
“I prefer to do it in a high way, in high pressing, but it will not always be the case.
“There’s also situations, games that you are lower. But what I demand from my team is that they press.”
Another key part of Ten Hag’s plan revolves around the midfield approach.
The continually-prolonged pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong is now becoming almost an embarrassment to the club and the manager believes United need to develop a player in that mould if they are truly unable to buy a ready-made one.
“I think we have already good midfield players,” Ten Hag said. “With the signing of Christian Eriksen, I am really happy and he will strengthen the midfield.
“But that type of player what you describe (in De Jong) I think it’s necessary in the squad.
“Of course we have players who can fill it in and we will do it if we cannot find the right player. Then we will develop a player in that position.”
Indefatigable and incorrigible Denmark international Christian Eriksen signed a three-year deal on Friday, looking ever fit as the proverbial fiddle and becoming United’s second summer signing after left-back Tyrell Malacia’s arrival from Feyenoord.
Lisandro Martinez is now on the verge of becoming the next acquisition, with Ajax announcing they were selling the defender for an initial 57.37 million euros (£48.8m) plus 10m euros (£8.5m) in potential add-ons.
“I think Christian Eriksen brings the creativity in the squad and he will play in the offensive midfield,” Ten Hag said.
“He can, I think, also play in a lower position. I think he is really experienced, experienced from different leagues – Italy, Holland and especially I think England.
“So, he will bring a lot to the team in that fact and our way in possession but I think also out of possession.
“Martinez, that’s a player who I call a warrior. He will bring aggressiveness and it’s a South American (character). He will contribute to the team and I think the fans will love it.”
Ten Hag is excited to work with Martinez again and has no doubt that 5ft 9 centre-back will handle the Premier League’s physicality.
“He is a strong guy and duels is one of his capabilities,” he added.
“And also his motivation is really high and he will bring that motivation also in the team.”
Ten Hag, everything is now on your shoulders to kick the squad back into fighting fit shape with that Spartan fortitude and resolve to succeed against all odds.