5 reasons why Erik ten Hag should be named permanent Manchester United manager

#3 Ten Hag has successfully developed young players

Erik ten Hag played a crucial role in the development of Frenkie de Jong (#21) and David Neres (R)

"You'll never win anything with kids" is something Manchester United have always defied. The Red Devils have historically emphasised on the importance of blooding youth and giving opportunities to academy products.

Fortunately, Erik ten Hag's track record of developing young talent is excellent. In the three full seasons since his arrival at Ajax, the average age of the club's squad has been 22 years. In comparison, the average age of Arsenal's squad, which is currently the youngest in the Premier League, is 25.

Ten Hag has worked wonders with young and inexperienced squads while playing a key role in the development of several stars. Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Justin Kluivert, Joel Veltman and Donny van de Beek have all flourished under the Dutchman's tutelage.

Manchester United are approaching the end of a cycle, and are looking for a manager who can build a long-term project. Ten Hag certainly ticks one of the most important boxes in the Red Devils' list of requirements.

---

#4 Erik ten Hag plays an attacking brand of football

Erik ten Hag could help the Red Devils play 'the United way'.

The 'Manchester United philosophy' of attacking football has come under the scanner in recent seasons.

Despite being the club's most successful manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho faced criticism for not setting up his team to play the 'United way'. The Old Trafford faithful demand to be entertained. Attacking, positive and free-flowing football has traditionally been Manchester United's calling card.

Erik ten Hag is anything but a defensive manager. In his five-year spell as Ajax boss, the Dutch giants have scored more than 100 league goals in two different seasons (119 in 2018-19 and 102 in 2020-21). They have been the Eredivisie's top-scoring side in each of his five campaigns at the club.

Ten Hag's team are adept in retaining possession, and tend to use width to their advantage. That could fit right in with the Red Devils' ideology.

---

#5 Ten Hag is capable of building a long-term project

At 51, Erik ten Hag has a long managerial career ahead of him.

It is understood that Manchester United are looking for a manager who is willing to stick around a build a long-term project at the club. The Red Devils' previous appointments include Louis van Gaal, who was nearing the end of his time as a coach at club level, and Jose Mourinho, who was viewed as a short-term fix.

At 51, there is an element of freshness to Ten Hag, who is currently in his first major role as head coach. The Red Devils recently rejected the chance to appoint Antonio Conte, believing the Italian's personality and approach could result in a short tenure. Ten Hag's five-year spell at Ajax has been completely devoid of off-field controversy and conflicts with the club's executives.

Manchester United hope to build a project spanning the better part of a decade, as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have done at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively. If the club are willing to be patient and back their next manager to the hilt, Erik Ten Hag is their man.