Erik ten Hag can prove Manchester United doubters wrong with two selection decisions

So far this pre-season, Erik ten Hag has shown off his strengths as a manager at Manchester United. The Dutchman is a brilliant coach and a smart tactician and it's clear to see the impact he has had on the players already.

Those who have worked with, played under or just observed Ten Hag in Holland attested to that skillset. He's a hands-on presence on the training ground and United have played some slick, modern football during their friendlies this summer. They look to have taken a clear step forward.

But if there was a question mark around the 52-year-old it was his man management. His people skills aren't top of his list of strengths and he can be blunt and straightforward, not just with the media but with his own players.

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Karan Tejwani, author of Glorious Reinvention, a book on the transformation at Ajax in recent years, highlighted Ten Hag's strengths and weaknesses to the MEN just after his appointment.

"I spoke to a lot of players to learn more about him and they all said similar things, that he’s very meticulous, very detailed with his tactical work, he’s not a brilliant man-manager, he’s a bit more conservative in that regard, but he can promote his message across the squad," he said.

He won over his players at Ajax through his training ground acumen, which produced results, and United's squad have full faith in Ten Hag due to seeing the quality of his sessions this summer. They have worked on specific plans in training and seen those drills replicated in games, which gives a squad belief in their coaches.

Those man-management skills are yet to be truly tested, although that will soon change when the Premier League season kicks off against Brighton next