According to rumours, Erik ten Hag may attend Manchester United’s final Premier League match of the season as he considers viewing his underperforming players up close.
The 52-year-old coach led Ajax to the Eredivisie title last weekend, and his final match in charge of the Dutch winners will be against Vitesse on Sunday before taking over at Old Trafford.
Due to the FA Cup final, United have a free weekend and will not play again until May 22 against Crystal Palace, their final match of a disastrous season.
With West Ham only three points behind United with a game in hand and a substantially stronger goal difference, the match might become a must-win for United if they want to avoid playing in the Europa Conference League next season.
One of the most difficult problems confronting interim manager Ralf Rangnick is inspiring his increasingly disinterested squad for the match versus Palace – however Ten Hag could assist.
The Dutchman expects to witness United’s trip to Selhurst Park live, according to The Athletic, however it is unclear whether he will be in the stands in south London.
Ten Hag has already met with United executives in Amsterdam to discuss his debut season with the club, and his emphasis will shift completely to the Red Devils once Ajax’s match against Vitesse is completed.
With the atmosphere in training thought to be ‘completely flat’ following their devastating 4-0 defeat to Brighton last time out, the idea of Ten Hag watching on might energise United’s players.
According to the Athletic, the players are dissatisfied with what they believe to be sub-par coaching sessions provided by Rangnick’s assistants, Chris Armas and Ewan Sharp, who will both depart the club at the end of the season.
They will be replaced by Mitchell van der Gaag, Ten Hag’s current Ajax assistant, and Steve McClaren, who both attended the recent meeting between the incoming United manager and club representatives in Amsterdam.
Ten Hag is eager to get started and has discussed general strategy and recruitment, as well as meeting with United’s sports science team about fitness regimes and pre-season plans.
