Patience and potential are key to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United vision

When Erik ten Hag was appointed Bayern Munich II head coach he quickly fell out with the team’s striker. Kevin Friesenbichler grew frustrated at being left out of the team until he was able to meet Ten Hag’s exacting standards.

The Dutchman, who will take charge of his first Manchester United game against Brighton on Sunday, had to make it very clear what he needed from his players in order for them to fit into his team and not disrupt the dressing room.

“We had some small differences of opinion – as player and coach – but after a couple of months it was good,” Friesenbichler said. “We had a very good relationship. If he wants to tell you something, if he wants to show you something tactical, he can tell it to everybody to understand perfectly exactly what he wants.”

Friesenbichler went on to have his best season as Bayern II finished top of the league in 2013-14, scoring 15 in 22 games under Ten Hag, and they almost reunited at Utrecht such was the bond between them.

Ten Hag has prioritised bringing in players who understand how he operates, whether it is Lisandro Martínez who played under him at Ajax, or Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia, who were both schooled in the Netherlands. The trio will be important within the dressing room to help their teammates get up to speed.

They are the club’s only signings so far in this window and there is no doubt Ten Hag would like more. But he is a man who prides himself on improving individuals – it is the Ajax way. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were two of the players who did not reach their potential last season, struggling after the disappointment of the Euros to show their true selves in a turbulent campaign. Ten Hag will have to build them back up.

“Don’t look back, look