Winners and losers of Ten Hag becoming Man Utd manager

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 5 min read

Erik ten Hag has been announced as Manchester United’s next manager, and he has a huge task on his hands if he’s looking to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have endured a torrid season and are going to go five years without winning a major trophy – something Ten Hag will be tasked with changing.

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) April 21, 2022

Upon his arrival, he will demand alterations to the squad, and there will be some coming out of it better than others.

Here are three winners and three losers from as Ten Hag’s reign looks set to begin.

Who will be the winners and losers from Ten Hag's tenure?

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WINNERS

Donny van de Beek

The obvious winner would be Donny van de Beek, who enjoyed two stellar seasons at the Johan Cruyff Arena playing under Erik ten Hag.

When Ten Hag first joined Ajax, Van de Beek wasn’t the preferred choice, but the midfielder won him over with a series of fine performances, and his quality showed in the Dutch club’s brilliant Champions League run in 2019.

Since joining Manchester United, Van de Beek has rarely seen action on the pitch, and a loan move to Everton hasn’t worked out as planned either, with the Toffees fighting relegation and struggling for consistency.

However, with Ten Hag joining and having already seen Van de Beek’s qualities first-hand at Ajax, there is a belief he will be able to integrate the 24-year-old and finally give him a chance to shine at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho has gotten better with time at Old Trafford, and he’s been one of the shining lights in a season marred by inconsistency for Manchester United.

That’ll bode well for Ten Hag’s tenure, who’s playing style relies on explosive wingers, and the coach has a good history of working with direct attackers like Sancho.

The likes of David Neres, Hakim Ziyech and Antony all excelled under Ten Hag at Ajax, and it could be similar for the Englishman at Manchester United.

With a stellar, young attacking line-up, Sancho could get even better and become one of the league’s finest players.

The academy

One of the similarities between Ajax and Manchester United is that they both value their academy highly, and that’s evident through their excellent alumni.

At Ajax, Ten Hag worked well with academy players like Matthijs de Ligt, Ryan Gravenberch and Jurrien Timber, and there’s a great group coming through at Old Trafford who could do the same.

Anthony Elanga has already got some opportunities this season under Ralf Rangnick, and in the group coming through, there is the likes of James Garner, Hannibal Mejbri, Zidane Iqbal and Alejandro Garnacho.

Given the time, they will be given time with the first team and slowly be integrated into the set up on a more regular basis.

LOSERS

Cristiano Ronaldo

Although he’s Manchester United’s top scorer this season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United hasn’t gone as well as he would’ve hoped.

The 37-year-old is often criticised for his lack of presence when pressing the ball, and his age may finally be catching up to him, which means he won’t be relied upon by a manager who demands total effort on and off the ball.

Factor in his high wages and status, it seems likely that Ten Hag would want to get rid entirely than keep a player like Ronaldo on the bench for large parts of a season.

Additionally, it’s been widely reported that United are looking for a new, younger forward, and that could spell the end of Ronaldo’s time at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay

One of the staples of Ten Hag’s Ajax teams have been verticality and mobility, which Scott McTominay does not bring.

McTominay might have a much more reduced role next season due to his lack of presence when moving the ball forward.

Nemanja Matic has already announced he is departing when his contract expires in July, so that will free up space for at least one big central midfield signing.

David de Gea

David de Gea is a great goalkeeper – arguably Manchester United’s best player this season – but he may not be what Ten Hag wants.

While creating a team that commands the ball, Ten Hag may not see De Gea as a player fit for purpose, as the Spaniard’s poor ball-playing abilities may hinder the team.

De Gea was dropped from the Spanish national team by Luis Enrique for similar reasons and while he’s a fine shot-stopper, he isn’t the complete package.

There have recently been links to a new goalkeeper incoming and that could signal the end of De Gea’s 11-year tenure at Old Trafford.