SPECIAL REPORT: Ten Hag is primed to rescue the sinking ship at United

The man who could one day be king in Manchester seems to be the Invisible Man on this spring afternoon in the city he calls home.

Erik ten Hag has brought trophies and entertainment to Amsterdam, his dashing Ajax team winning a host of admirers for their charge to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Such is the progress they have made, it is a surprise that the last eight will take place next week without their involvement after being eliminated by Benfica.

There have been five trophies in four years under Ten Hag, with Ajax scoring 570 goals in 207 games. In many places across Europe, a manager who brought this level of success could expect to have his image proudly displayed around the stadium or on street corners.

Not here. Spend time walking around the imposing Johan Cruyff Arena and you will see countless pictures of the greatest Dutchman of them all, arms aloft in that iconic red and white shirt. You'll see plenty of the current squad, too, from highly rated midfielder Ryan Gravenberch to Mexico defender Edson Alvarez.

But there is nothing of Ten Hag, not even in the club superstore. Perhaps it will be different in the fan shop on Kalverstraat, in the heart of the city? But again, there is nothing, so we enquire to find out if there is anything bearing his name.

'You are the first person we have ever had ask about him,' replies the assistant. 'We want him to stay but the rumours are he goes to Manchester.'

They are more than rumours. Ten Hag is the man Ralf Rangnick has recommended should be given the task of re-floating the listing ocean liner that is Manchester United in 2022. The more you enquire about this unassuming 52-year-old, the more his qualities become clear.

Ten Hag was an honest central defender