Erik ten Hag interview shows Manchester United will get true leadership in their rebuild

Very few Manchester United fans would have been surprised when their club announced Erik ten Hag as their new manager last Thursday.

It was comfortably the worst kept secret in football, yet the jeopardy came through the disbelief that the United board would be in tandem with the fans on any decision. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, United's appointments have focused on past glories rather than future ideas.

Ten Hag poses a risk in that sense. Bar a few Eredivisie crowns, he has yet to master a trophy collection the size of Jose Mourinho's, for example. Yet it is how the Dutchman views the game that excites so many at the Theatre of Dreams.

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In one of his first interviews since being appointed as the manager of United, Ten Hag offered an exciting action plan for United's on-field revolution — one that will prick the ears of supporters. He told Dutch newspaper Trouw: "I'll always be myself.

"I will not change my view on coaching. The type of players you have determines the way you play, but I'm in control of the demands and tasks that are asked of the players.

"I decide what task a player has. If someone doesn't perform his tasks, he will be made aware of that, no matter whom it may be. I will not compromise on that."

For United supporters it will have come as music to their ears. At times this season, the stark lack of leadership both on and off the field has been alarming. Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick have appeared like rabbits in the headlights watching their team get mauled on the pitch.

They both have watched on in a sorry-looking acceptance that United's fate was already sealed — as was shown at Anfield