Stam tips Ten Hag to succeed at Man Utd provided he has ‘the right players’

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam believes Erik ten Hag can be a success at Old Trafford if he is backed in the transfer market.

Ten Hag has taken over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick to become United’s new manager, leaving his post at Ajax after four and a half years in charge of the Dutch side.

He led Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 and is keen on bringing a key member of that team, Frenkie De Jong, to Old Trafford.

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De Jong is currently at Barcelona, but the Blaugrana are reluctant to let go of their midfielder unless it’s for the right price. This is thought to have created some early tension at United as Ten Hag is unhappy with the pace at which things are moving.

Speaking to the Guardian, Stam has stressed the need for United to get the right business done this summer, or else Ten Hag will struggle to have a positive impact following the club’s sixth-place finish last season.

“We all know what he can do and what he has done over in Holland with Ajax,” he said. “Hopefully he can do the same now with United.

“Obviously, there are certain things that will need to be there for him to help him, maybe in terms of different players and personnel. But I think he’s done a good job in Holland.”

He continued: “In Holland, we always say that every player in every position needs to be able to play football. So a centre-back needs to be able to dribble forward, to be the extra man in midfield, to have that pass. We try to educate players to be able to do everything.

“At United, one of Fergie’s qualities was bringing players in of a certain ability who could do things well in their position; then if they