Erik ten Hag's plan proves Man Utd can avoid Cristiano Ronaldo 'mistake'

Erik ten Hag hasn't even been officially confirmed as Manchester United's next manager yet he's already sending shockwaves around Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has reportedly agreed to become the Red Devils' latest appointment in what is expected to be the first of many colossal changes at the club over the coming months. It appears he's already considering which of United's current crop to cull, and the squad's biggest name of all looks set to be part of an impending exodus.

According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag deems Cristiano Ronaldo surplus to requirements and has given the prolific Portuguese striker the green light to seal a second Old Trafford exit this summer. Amid suggestions the superstar doesn't suit his preferred style of play, Ten Hag appears intent on offloading the legend at the end of this season.

How the club handle the 52-year-old's demands will be telling, and a key indicator of whether or not they are truly committed to change. As proven by his success with Ajax, Ten Hag favours the team unit over individuals so it comes as little surprise that Ronaldo doesn't fit with the Dutchman's philosophy.

For years, United have applied a scatter-gun approach to signings, succumbing to the temptation of sanctioning moves for stellar names, and a romantic return in the case of Ronaldo, over calculated recruitment. In order for Ten Hag to be a success at United, that simply has to change.

The club's hierarchy clearly feel the current Ajax coach is the right man to return the club to its glory days of yesteryear but in order for that to work, they must give their imminent new manager the full backing he deserves. On two occasions in Amsterdam, Ten Hag has assembled tight-knit squads capable of going toe-to-toe with