‘Not convincing’ - Jaap Stam explains why Erik ten Hag is struggling at Manchester United this season

Jaap Stam says Erik ten Hag has struggled to instil a style of play at Manchester United, adding that players bought for big fees are yet to live up to their price tag.

The former United defender hailed his countryman as a “good manager” and says Sunday’s derby is an opportunity to bolster confidence in the squad after a shaky start, but suggested that the United boss needs to make better choices.

The Reds have won their last three matches in all competitions, albeit hardly convincingly. United were expected to beat Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen but only managed one-goal margins amid late drama.

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Stam says Ten Hag showed his credentials at Ajax but has been unable to get United players to fully carry out his style of play yet, and needs time. "Myself of course from Holland, we all think about Ten Hag as a very good manager," Stam told the BBC's Football Focus.

"He is a great manager. He played very good football with Ajax, possession-based football, on the front foot, keeping possession, dominating, getting players into spaces so they can open up and go forward. We all expect Ten Hag to do that with United as well."

Stam said United were successful last season without having a clear identity despite Ten Hag being backed healthily in the transfer market given the £400million spend since his arrival.

Stam added: "Last season they did well in terms of getting into the Champions League, FA Cup final, [winning the] Carabao Cup, but they didn't play well.

"He [Ten Hag] spent a lot of money, we need to be honest in that: he spent a lot of money getting players in, so you expect