Former Jose Mourinho assistant explains why Erik ten Hag will succeed at Manchester United

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has backed Manchester United to succeed under Erik ten Hag given the amount of work he believes will go on behind the scenes.

The Dutchman is expected to be announced as the club’s next new manager, although nothing will be announced until after Ajax’s KNVB Cup final against PSV on Sunday. The Manchester Evening News understands the 52-year-old has been the United board's preferred candidate for some time. He will arrive at Old Trafford with the task of revamping the squad.

One person who knows the Old Trafford halls well is McKenna. He was promoted to first-team coach by Jose Mourinho and stayed on under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was briefly part of Ralf Rangnick’s backroom staff before leaving to take the manager’s role at Ipswich in December.

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McKenna praised Ten Hag, describing him as a “fantastic coach” who can bring a lot to the table. Speaking to Sky Sports (via the Metro), he said: “Obviously Erik ten Hag is a fantastic coach, I’ve enjoyed watching his Ajax team over the last few years.

"They’re a team that I’ve watched quite a lot of and I’ve really enjoyed the style of play he’s managed to impart there. I think obviously until anything is officially announced it’s difficult to talk too early, and all the names that have been linked with (the job) are very good coaches – and certainly Ten Hag is a fantastic coach.”

McKenna explained that he believes the work done by those behind the scenes is the reason Ten Hag will lead United back to success. He added: “I know there’s fantastic support, a lot of people at the club are working very hard behind the scenes to make good decisions and get things in place