United Unwrapped: Erik ten Hag searches for Ajax 'formula' as Pep Guardiola exploits Man Utd flaw

When Erik ten Hag arrived in England in the summer of 2022, he had a reputation for upholding a specific brand of football having been in charge of Ajax for the five years prior to his move. The Dutchman had delivered success to the Amsterdam-based club, winning the Eredivisie on three occasions and the Dutch Cup twice.

Ten Hag was appointed by Manchester United as a champion having recently secured the league title ahead of PSV Eindhoven, with his players showcasing elements of total football and fluid possession play in the Netherlands capital. Ajax were experts at building flowing moves through the thirds of the pitch, with legend Johan Cruyff acting as one of the manager's inspirations.

Indeed, Ten Hag expressed as much in an interview with UEFA.com, stating: "I think a lot of Johan Cruyff. I admired him a lot from my office in Amsterdam. Football is always about winning, but he wanted to do it in a certain way. It has to be in an adventurous way, in an entertaining way."

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Ajax managed to deliver victories domestically and in the Champions League — having almost reached the final of the competition in 2019 — but all while remaining committed to certain philosophical goals associated with possession, territorial dominance, offensive football and pressing high up the field.

United naturally wished to adopt such an approach after becoming admirers from afar, with Ten Hag appointed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's successor. He experienced a promising debut campaign at the helm by finishing inside the top four of the Premier League ahead of Liverpool, and reaching two cup finals,