Andre Onana shares key experience with other Erik ten Hag signings at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag never featured in the Champions League as a player and failed to make it past the last-16 in the old-branded UEFA Cup. Instead, his mark in Europe’s elite competition has come from the dugout. His first time hearing the iconic Champions League anthem as a manager came almost five years ago to the day.

He orchestrated a 2-0 win for Ajax over Sturm Graz in the second round of qualifying, going on to win on aggregate 5-1. The Dutch club saw off Standard Liege and Dynamo Kiev to make the group stages to begin an iconic run in the 2018/19 season.

A win over Benfica and two draws against former employers Bayern Munich denoted an unbeaten round-robin to set up a last-16 tie with Real Madrid, winners of the past three editions. A 2-1 home defeat ensued.

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What happened in the second leg rather set the tone of his European legacy at Ajax. A 4-1 masterclass saw Los Blancos embarrassed in their own backyard meaning de Godenzonen had no fear when they were required to win away at Juventus in the quarters.

A 1-0 win at Tottenham in the semis preceded two goals in the home leg. Ajax and Ten Hag were dreaming of a final showdown with Liverpool until an unforgettable second-half Lucas Moura hat-trick - which included a last-gasp strike - turned the evening into a nightmare.

The likelihood is Ajax would have provided a better fight against Liverpool in Madrid and perhaps had a greater chance of beating them. Ten Hag failed to get past the last-16 again in the years after as his stars were picked off by bigger fish.

Now, he is at a