Erik ten Hag will need Manchester United players to accept his vision if he wants to succeed at Old Trafford. And, moving away from Ralf Rangnick, the 52-year-old has already made a smart move. The Dutchman has already started work as he seeks to regain his glory days at the club, which has failed to win the Premier League title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Rangnick was hired as interim head of United in December, shortly after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
John Murtough believed the 63-year-old was the right man to restore order at Old Trafford, with the club still hoping to win a trophy and qualify for the Champions League at the time.
However, months later, it would not be underestimated to say that Rangnick’s reign at the club was disastrous.
Arriving with a great reputation, having done well at RB Leipzig, Schalke and Hoffenheim in the past, the German was destined to save his season.
Instead, it only got worse.
Rangnick not only failed to score, as the 63-year-old accumulated a winning percentage of just 37.9 percent during his time in the dugout.
Erik ten Hag: Man Utd’s 25-man squad for next season with six signings
But he also didn’t dominate the locker room, with players not taking it from the start.
He angered Jesse Lingard by regularly dismissing him, forcing the player’s brother to vent his fury when the 29-year-old failed to make a farewell appearance.
Rangnick had problems with Cristiano Ronaldo and his decision to continue choosing Harry Maguire, among others, split the squad.
What did not help was his desire to be so sincere, although his words were well received by many United fans.
His words about the need for “10 signings” annoyed the staff, believing he was throwing them under the bus.
And the best thing about United’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday was that it marked the end of their time as coach.
DO NOT MISS
The 10 transfer goals from Ten Hag to Man Utd have been explained
Antony’s comments suggest that Ten Hag’s meeting at Man Utd is possible
Man Utd has five players who can be amazing with Ten Hag
Ten Hag was asked about Rangnick’s role as a consultant in his presentation earlier in the week.
And the Dutchman made the cunning call to distance himself from the German.
“This is from the club,” he said simply before looking at the reports as if it were prudent to leave the matter alone.
Ten Hag also spoke of his desire to leave United “unified” after a disastrous campaign where he finished sixth in the Premier League table.
“The current situation is obviously not so good. It’s a big challenge,” he said.
He added: “I want to build and build a team that fights between them, that is unified and that gets results.
DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sports knowledge with our complicated quiz
“In addition, we are playing in the ‘Theater of Dreams’: we want to entertain. But in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football.
“If we can’t play great football, we still have to win.”
The division has been plentiful at United all season.
There are clashes inside the locker room but Rangnick, in the eyes of the players, has not helped.
United will want to forget the failed step of the 63-year-old as a coach as soon as possible, as they are looking to join Liverpool and Manchester City.
And Ten Hag is eager to “draw his own line,” as he doesn’t seem to build a dynasty like Ferguson did during his dugout spell.
Want the latest football news? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here
Speaking at the presentation, the Dutchman also revealed that he found United’s challenge “exciting”.
And he also acknowledged the story of the Red Devils, saying: “Of course. I know the history of Man United, I know the big moments and the audience, the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
“I saw them in their heyday, when Sir Alex Ferguson was the coach, during the very successful times when they won titles and dominated Europe.
“But even before Sir Alex, Man United was a very big club and I know names like Busby and Charlton who gave Man United a presence in the outside world from winning and winning in a spectacular way, winning to entertain people.
“What I have left is that there has always been a culture of struggle. They fight together and they are successful.”