Erik ten Hag is said to have flown into London and may be present at Selhurst Park on Sunday as Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace for their concluding Premier League game of the season.
The Dutchman, who was appointed United manager in April on a three-year deal, is set to hold crunch talks with his new teammates as he begins his reign with the Red Devils. Ten Hag is assisted by his assistant Mitchell van der Gaag, with whom he previously worked at Ajax.
The pair hope to turn around United’s fortunes after a disappointing season that saw them miss out on cups and Champions League football – and might end with a seventh-place finish and a place in the Europa Conference League. Ten Hag refused to go on vacation after winning the Eredivisie, instead flying to the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening by private jet.
According to the Daily Mail, Ten Hag and Van der Gaag could have the opportunity to see their new team in action this weekend when the Eagles visit South London. While the new United manager prepares for talks with the Old Trafford management, he already has held one of his first meetings.
Last week, the 52-year-old met with Steve McClaren, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant, with whom he worked at Dutch club Twente. The Englishman, 61, is expected to debut as a member of United’s new regime ahead of the new season.
Rio Ferdinand, a club legend, is optimistic about the future appointment because he believes McClaren understands “what it takes to win.” “I think he (McClaren) is arriving in as a coach, a shoulder to lean on, someone who can give advice at the right times,” the former England defender said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel. Perhaps eyes and ears.
“I don’t think it’s irrelevant to judge him based on his operations in previous years. What you do get with Steve McClaren somebody who is a football fanatic, who is ecstatic about the game, who is meticulous and obsessive about the details.
“Not only from a football standpoint, but also mentally, and he knows what it takes to win at Man United.” That is significant.” Between early 1999 and 2001, McClaren served as Ferguson’s assistant, assisting United in winning the continental treble of the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.
