MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag is facing “the hardest job of his life” at Old Trafford with the club in “disarray”, says Paul Merson.
The Red Devils are hoping Dutchman Ten Hag is the manager to fire them back into trophy contention.
Ten Hag kicked off United pre-season on Monday Credit: Getty
Merson has warned Ten Hag that the United job will be the ‘hardest’ of his life Credit: Getty But the 52-year-old gaffer faces a huge summer, with a whole host of players linked with moving to the Red Devils.
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong and Ajax star Anthony are the two names most prominent in the transfer gossip.
Ex-Arsenal star Merson said on Sky Sports: “If Ten Hag managed for the rest of his life, it’ll never be harder than what he’s taking on now.
“This is a massive job. It’s the biggest club in the world and he is taking over when they’re in disarray.”
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Man Utd quoted £115m for Ajax duo, Maguire swap deal REJECTED Merson also says recruitment will be key this summer as the current squad aren’t good enough.
As well as De Jong, with the transfer believed to be close, moves could be made for Christian Eriksen on a free as well as Ajax duo Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
Merson continued: “He needs to bring in as many players as he can because this team is not going to get you in the top four.
“They need to bring certain players in – De Jong at Barcelona, he’s a good footballer – and then you move on from there.
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“They need at least three or four players just to make a challenge for fourth place.”
Dutch midfielder De Jong is known to be the Red Devils’ No1 target, with talks now at an advanced stage with the Blaugrana.
A £65million offer plus bonuses is claimed to be in the works with United confident it will be accepted.
Frenkie de Jong is believed to be close to agreeing a deal at Man Utd Credit: Getty Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk