Jordi Cruyff backs 'new heir' Erik ten Hag to succeed at Manchester United

Former Manchester United midfielder and current sporting director at Barcelona Jordi Cruyff has backed fellow countryman Erik ten Hag to succeed at Old Trafford.

The ex-Ajax head coach arrived in Manchester in the summer and, after a shaky start, has managed to steady the ship at United. Heading into the international break, United sit fifth in the Premier League table, a point behind fourth place Brighton.

Assessing the start to Ten Hag's tenure, Cruyff believes that the 52-year-old has recruited well and has backed him continue his successful start. "United have always had over the years a good squad," Cruyff explained to Sky Sports.

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"If you look at the squad player by player you can see that it is a good squad so there has never been a lack of talent. Sometimes good players do not make a winning team.

"That is part of the formula where things are getting more complicated. Before you would just say: 'He is a good player, he fits our style of play, our DNA, we will sign him.'

"Nowadays it is not just about that player it is about fitting him in with a player beside him, in front of him, behind him. Can they play together? That is a complete different story, it is not like a computer game.

"In the end it is about finding the right balance and I think in Ten Hag they got a new heir. It feels like it is a new start and I am talking only from the outside what I read and follow a bit.

"The new start gives a lot of expectancies so it is always difficult to manage that and in the Premier League it is always a tough league. It is very hard to predict at the start of the season who will be in the top four.

"It is a tough challenge but with enough time