Ten Hag vows to end Man City and Liverpool dominance

Erik Ten Hag has vowed to end Manchester City and Liverpool's domination of English football after officially taking over as Manchester United manager.

The 52-year-old former Ajax boss was unveiled at Old Trafford and immediately set his sights on breaking the stranglehold of United's two greatest rivals.

Asked if that was possible while Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp remain in charge, Ten Hag said: 'I think so, yeah. Liverpool and Manchester City play fantastic football, but you will always see an era come to an end — I am looking forward to a battle with them.

'There are similarities with both clubs (United and Ajax). Both are used to having success, and that is the biggest similarity.

'It's all about winning titles. In Ajax, the project was to be back on top in Holland. When I started, PSV were on top and we changed it. In the last four years, we were the No 1 continually. It was important also to finish in my last season as No 1. There were PSV and Feyenoord who were huge competitors, but finally we won the battle and I'm very happy about that.'

Ten Hag dismissed suggestions that he has taken a gamble by leaving Amsterdam, as well as a warning from former Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal that he shouldn't join a 'commercial club' like United.

'I have heard that, but I draw my own line,' he said. 'I'm convinced this will not be the case. I spoke with the directors about it. Football is one, two and three at this club. Every club is commercial and needs revenues to be at the top.

'I don't see it as a risk. This club has a great history and now let's make a future. What we're thinking is, 'this is a project and it takes time'. But I also know at this club and at other clubs like Ajax and Bayern Munich, that at the top