Reviving Man Utd a major challenge, says new boss Ten Hag

AMSTERDAM : New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said reviving the fortunes of the Premier League club will be a major challenge, the Dutchman said in his first comments about his new job some 24 hours after steering Ajax Amsterdam to a third successive Eredivisie title.

The 52-year-old Ten Hag is leaving Ajax for Old Trafford, where he will offer fresh perspective to a club who have been stumbling aimlessly through the last few weeks of the season.

“It feels like a challenge to put the club back on track of winning. The options are there, including financially,” he said in an interview with Voetbal International magazine on Thursday.

“I’ve also got a good feeling about the people who are there, and that we can take a step in the direction.”

Ten Hag had previously refused to answer questions on United, but explained in the interview the recruitment process and what awaits him.

"I know United went through a very precise procedure. They'd done scouting, analyses, data, interviews with people who worked with me. Then we held multiple interviews.

"They didn't rush into things and neither did I. It felt like a difficult, but fantastic challenge. At United, there's something to build and something to win. Manchester United is such a big name in the history of football.

"It's not for nothing they call Old Trafford the Theatre of Dreams. It's a club with an allure in international football. Everyone knows their history. The history is impressive but I've also researched the present and future and the possibilities,” he said.

Ten Hag insisted he never let his impeding move to Old Trafford impact on his work in his final weeks at Ajax Amsterdam despite the swirl of interest and publicity around the appointment.

“Much had already