What Erik ten Hag told Manchester United about the squad during job interview

Erik ten Hag will want to sign some of his Ajax players if he becomes Manchester United manager, reportedly claiming that the current Red Devils squad is not worthy of the Champions League.

The Independent reports that Ten Hag told the United hierarchy that he views the job as a five-year project during his interview with the club a fortnight ago.

The 52-year-old has emerged as the favourite to take over the reins at Old Trafford from interim manager Ralf Rangnick, although a number of other names are being considered, most notably Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino.

Sources say that as part of his interview, Ten Hag compiled a comprehensive dossier on United’s squad and argued they have been some way off ‘Champions League shape’ for a while, citing fitness issues, elaborating that the first thing he would work on would be physical conditioning.

However, United are not entirely sold on Ten Hag’s plans and are wary of bringing in another manager steeped in Eredivisie ideals following the underwhelming reign of Louis van Gaal from 2014 to 2016.

There is also concern about bringing in players from the Dutch league, something Ten Hag would like to do, as recent signings from that division, including forward Memphis Depay and midfielder Donny van de Beek, have not worked out.

Multiple sources have also claimed that the current crop of United players are split over the potential appointment, saying that: ‘[Ten Hag] has not blown people away,’ and that the club are nowhere ready to make a decision on the next manager, saying: ‘It is not a Pep Guardiola to Manchester City situation.’

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