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Football

21st Apr 2022

Man Utd players said to be ‘ambivalent’ and ‘underwhelmed’ by Erik ten Hag appointment

Daniel Brown

Man Utd players Erik ten Hag

He’s not even in the building yet

Erik ten Hag’s appointment as Manchester United manager has reportedly been met with a mixed reception from the squad, with some players ambivalent and others underwhelmed.

The Dutchman was named as the next manager of the Red Devils on Thursday, with the 52-year-old set to leave his position as Ajax manager at the end of the season to take charge at Old Trafford, where he will replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

He has signed a deal until 2025 and will be joined alongside Mitchell van der Gaag, who will become his new assistant manager.

Rangnick, who was named interim boss after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is expected to move into a consultancy role with United when Ten Hag assumed control.

Appointment of Ten Hag met with mixed reception

However, as reported by The Guardian, Ten Hag’s appointment has had a mixed reception from the United squad, with some players said to be ambivalent and others underwhelmed by the new boss.

Ten Hag faces a difficult task as he begins life at United, with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard expected to be two of several members of the first team squad to leave the squad over the summer.

Man Utd players Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag’s first words as new Man United manager

Upon being announced at United, Ten Hag admitted that it would be difficult to leave behind his side in the Netherlands.

“It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,” the 50-year-old said.

“I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.

“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”

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