Five ways Ten Hag will immediately change Man Utd, from Neves signing to bringing back Meulensteen as No2

ERIK TEN HAG is closing in on being named the new Manchester United boss.

The Dutchman is ready to leave his role at Ajax to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s full-time successor.

Erik ten Hag is closing in on bagging the Manchester United manager’s jobCredit: Getty

Ralf Rangnick replaced Solskjaer as interim manager – and is set to move into an advisor role at the end of the season.

It looked to be a straight fight between Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino – but it is the 52-year-old Ajax man who is set to be the man tasked with reviving fortunes.

It is believed Ten Hag has laid out a FIVE-YEAR plan to United chiefs after several positive meetings.

Here, SunSport checks out five ways Ten Hag will instantly change things up at Old Trafford…

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Sign Neves

SunSport exclusively revealed that Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves will be the No1 transfer target for Ten Hag if he gets the job.

Ruben Neves is believed to be transfer target No1 this summerCredit: Getty

The Red Devils have tried to sign the Wolves midfielder in the last two windows with the Midlands club holding firm so far.

But SunSport understands Dutch coach Ten Hag has been a huge fan of the Portuguese international for years and would push to bring him to Old Trafford.

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Bring in Rene Meulensteen as No2

United are reportedly considering a swoop for Rene Meulensteen to assist Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s No2 at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2013.

Could Rene Meulensteen be making a sensational return to Old Trafford?

And he could be set for a Theatre of Dreams return as part of Man United’s Netherlands revolution this summer.

According to ESPN, Meulensteen, 58, is under consideration to be appointed Ten Hag’s assistant.

Turn kids into world beaters

Ten Hag will bring a track record of developing brilliant young talent if he is appointed at Old Trafford.

Justin Kluivert, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt are just three of the players who went from kids to world beaters under his charge – and fetched big money when they left Ajax.

United fans are excited about the depth of talent in the youth teamsCredit: Getty

Speaking about giving youngsters a chance to shine, he said in 2019: “I do agree that youngsters need to get a chance in the first team but they have to deserve that chance themselves.

“They have to prove that they are better than the current players or at least have to potential to be better.”

United fans are excited about the raft of talent in their youth set-up – the likes of Hannibal Mejbri, Alvaro Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho and Bjorn Hardley should be excited about their futures and won’t have to wait long to get their chance.

In addition, current graduates like Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay could see their careers put back on track.

Tactical switch-ups

Ten Hag’s dedication to ‘getting it right’ has being likened to how Sir Alex Ferguson ruled the roost at United.

Former United No2 Steve McClaren had Ten Hag as his assistant during his spell as Twente boss.

Steve McLaren believes Ten Hag has the tactical nous to succeed

There, he led the Dutch side to the Eredivisie title – but openly confesses that would not have been possible without Ten Hag’s ability to think quickly during matches.

McClaren told The Telegraph: “His great strength lies not just in his attention to detail and organisation.

“He has a clear philosophy of how he wants to play football, the environment he wants to create.”

No player undroppable

Some have questioned whether Ten Hag realises the size of the job at hand managing a club in desperate need of a boost.

And with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba – if he stays – there are some big personalities Ten Hag will have to be firm with.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the big personalities in the United dressing roomCredit: PA

Ronald De Boer played alongside Ten Hag for Twente, and feels the tactician will be able to handle the pressure.

He told talkSPORT: “He’s focused in what he wants and everybody has to follow that path.

“At Ajax we also have stars, not to the magnitude you have there, but also big stars.

“He can also put them on the bench and I don’t think he’s afraid.”

It seems any notion of favourites at Old Trafford under Ten Hag are out the window.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk