Why Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is excited by Erik ten Hag appointment

Raphael Varane has backed Erik ten Hag as the right manager for Manchester United, having had first-hand experience of the Dutchman's thrilling Ajax teams.

Ten Hag will take over at United next month having recently been confirmed as the club's next permanent manager, but he is looking to finish his time in Holland with a third league title with Ajax.

The 52-year-old has built a reputation for creating two stylish Ajax teams and his desire to play an entertaining and progressive style has made him the choice of supporters to take over at Old Trafford.

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Varane is better placed than most of his United teammates to discuss the merits of Ten Hag, having had a difficult experience against his Ajax side that reached the semi-finals of the 2018/19 Champions League.

The centre-back started the second leg of Real Madrid's last-16 clash with Ajax in the Bernabeu that season, in what turned out to be one of Ten Hag's greatest nights.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Ajax won 4-1 in the Spanish capital and having seen the quality of that performance Varane can't wait to work with Ten Hag at his new club.

"I played against them in the Champions League and they played very well. I'm very excited to work with him," said Varane.

"I'm looking forward to work with him. I think he has good experience and he's a good person to work in this club."

Varane has had fitness issues this season, missing 17 games with five different setbacks, but the 29-year-old is confident a full pre-season will get him up to full fitness next term.

United will spend just over two weeks in Thailand and Australia in pre-season, a tour that will give Ten Hag the perfect opportunity to assess the