Erik ten Hag named new Man United manager

Manchester United have appointed Erik ten Hag as their new manager.

ESPN reported earlier this month that United were set to finalise the appointment of Ten Hag, and the Dutchman has agreed a three-year deal to take over at Old Trafford, with the option of another year.

— Don't have ESPN? Get instant access — Ogden: How United settled on Ten Hag — O'Hanlon: Can Ten Hag stop United rot?

Ten Hag becomes United's fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, following David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Former players Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick have also held caretaker positions during that time.

«It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United, and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,» Ten Hag said. «I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.

»It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United."

Sources have told ESPN that United football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher led the search for a new boss, with new CEO Richard Arnold only engaging in the process «in the final stages.»

Murtough and Fletcher, according to sources, chose Ten Hag as their No.1 candidate because of all the options considered he was the one who «most closely aligned with the club's identity and strategy.»

They were particularly impressed with Ten Hag's record at Ajax, his style of football and his ability to improve young players. Sources have told ESPN that