After stepping up their recruitment efforts in recent weeks, United will decide who will be the next full-time manager. Ajax's current head coach, Eric Ten Haag, was impressive in an interview as a standout candidate and it now looks like he will take power at Old Trafford. While club sources insist it is "too early" to say the deal is completed, there is no denying that the two sides are close to reaching an agreement and the Dutchman will now be United's fifth full-time manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. So, why Tenhag? What can he offer? What tactics will he take at Old Trafford? How will his appointment affect the club's transfer goals?
In terms of his preferred formation, early in his coaching career, Tenhag adopted a 4-4-2 formation (diamond-shaped midfielder) and then moved to a 4-3-3 formation. For now, though, he prefers 4-2-3-1, which is clearly familiar to United's current squad, as it is the same system used by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and interim manager Ronnick has been slow to decide to use this system. Also, like Lonnick, Tenhag loves his team playing a vibrant, possession-oriented football where players start to exert pressure from the front. However, Lonnick has not fully achieved this style in the club's four months and the German coach has been questioning the health of his team.
Of course, the players didn't seem physically incapable of applying the kind of relentless pressure that Ronnick had demanded for a full 90 minutes, after all, they hadn't played like this under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Therefore, for such an intensive way of working, Tenhag must improve the endurance level of the players and let them play with greater commitment and motivation. That's easier said than done, as some players were critical of Lonnick and his coaching staff's training sessions. But if Tenhag does come, those critics will have nowhere to hide. Players who have worked with the Dutchman before have noticed his meticulous arrangement of each game. He is said to be interested in video analysis and will abruptly stop training if the player's position is not right.
Longnick has made it clear to the board that United need to recruit more players who are both physically and aggressive to play this kind of football, which will at least give Tenhag an encouragement. The club has been informed by the media that has drawn up short lists of transfer goals for each of their priority positions, which will be submitted to the new coach, who will be a key factor in determining the signing of players. It is also believed that the next manager will also be able to present his transfer goals to the board. Time is clearly of the essence, which is why the club is so eager to find a new coach as soon as possible in order to start shaping the squad for next season as soon as possible. But which members of the current squad are already suitable for The way Tenhag likes to play?
Fred, Bruno Fernandez, Sancho and Scott McTominay are the players who put the most pressure and pressure on the pitch, so there should be no problem with adaptation. Pogba's ability is also outstanding, but he is expected to leave after his contract expires this summer. Pressure is also a key part of Van der Beek's game, and if Tenhag takes over at Manchester United, the Dutch midfielder, who is currently on loan at Everton, is likely to be warmly welcomed by his former manager and return to Old Trafford. However, some of United's older players may be seen as not meeting the requirements. Both Mata and Cavani will expire their contracts this summer and will leave, while Nemanja Matic, 33, is not expected to be involved in the redevelopment project.
But what about C Ronaldo? He hasn't put as much pressure as Tenhag has asked for, but he's been the club's top scorer in every competition this season, so whether he can make room for the prolific Portuguese superstar in his new squad will require a major decision. It's also worth remembering that a new striker is United's top priority this summer, and Tottenham's ace Harry Kane is particularly suited. The next head coach will also have to call Rashford, who has struggled this season. Still, after centre-forward Sebastian Alle has gone through tough times at West Ham, Tenhag has given his career a new look, so maybe he can do something similar for Rashford.
Of course, one of the key factors in Ajax's success is the ability to move quickly from defence to attack, but United are hampered by the composition of the midfield in this regard. As a result, the club also want to sign a world-class midfielder for the 2022-23 season, with West Ham's Dekran Rice being their number one choice. However, a deal with West Ham is not an easy task, with manager Moyes insisting that a bid of more than £150 million would be needed to persuade Londoners to give up their most valuable possessions. United are unlikely to reach such a high asking price, but if they want to challenge the best team in the league again for major honours, they must find a commanding midfielder who can connect the games.
There are also problems defensively, not least that Tenhag's attack requires effective attacking full-backs, which could spell trouble for Wan-Bissaka, who is struggling on the way forward. Obviously, Luke Shaw's offensive ability is much higher, but if he wants to keep his starting position next season, the England player's form will have to improve dramatically. Tenhag also had to choose a fixture for preferred centre-back Varane, with Both Lindelof and Eric Bailey better at possession than captain Harry Maguire, whose performances this season have been criticised many times.
Given his excellent record at Ajax, there could be some high-profile stars to be left behind if Tenhag takes over, especially because of his willingness to believe in youngsters, which is perfectly in line with United's tradition. So, which young people can benefit? First, James Garner was loaned to Nottingham Forest, where Anthony Erlanga proved he deserved to be in the first team under Ronnick. There are plenty of other exciting talents in the U23 youth team that adapt well to Tenhag's tactics, but that doesn't obscure the fact that the new manager needs to make massive adjustments to the team.