Ten Hag focused on Ajax but spending time on Man Utd plans

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag says he is spending time making plans for Manchester United ahead of becoming manager at the end of the season.

Ten Hag, who was confirmed by United as their new manager on Thursday, still has to decide on who will be part of his coaching staff at Old Trafford and is facing a big summer of recruitment with many players expected to leave.

But he still has a title race to win in the Eredivisie with Ajax, who secured a late 1-0 victory over NEC on Saturday afternoon to move seven points clear of PSV at the top of the table.

Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said: "I always keep focused on the job I have to do, it doesn't matter what's around me.

Pressed on whether he had spent time organising his plans for United, Ten Hag added: "You always spend time on the future, but my head and my energy is for Ajax."

While Ajax march towards a third title in four years, United's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League took a significant blow on Saturday as they lost 3-1 at Arsenal.

They are now six points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, with four games left to play.

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But Ten Hag refused to discuss the struggles of his future team, saying: "I don't have any opinion about Man Utd's results because I show respect for people who are at Man Utd, and I am for responsible for Ajax and that is what I comment on."

Ten Hag expects his high standards to be met at Manchester United and says he will have a big say in transfers, which was a condition for him taking the manager's job.

"I am ultimately responsible and accountable for the results," he told Dutch newspaper Trouw. "I don't want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers