Matthijs de Ligt tells Manchester United players what Erik ten Hag's greatest strength is

10.06.2022 - 10:53 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Netherlands and Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt waxed lyrical about the managerial qualities of new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag, following several months of speculation, was officially installed as United's new permanent manager in April. He was unveiled to the media for the very first time on May 23 at an Old Trafford press conference, less than 24 hours after the 2021/22 campaign was brought to a close with a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The former Ajax chief has picked up the baton from former interim manager Ralf Rangnick and now faces the challenge of bringing some much-needed success back to M16.

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United are keen to bring in fresh blood this summer, with several areas of the squad in need of strengthening, including in central-midfield and up front. But regardless of what signings the club makes, Ten Hag will be judged on results and nothing else.

But if he can replicate the success he delivered across his four-and-a-half-year spell at Ajax, he will make a lasting impact on United's supporters. And for former Ajax centre-back De Ligt, who worked with Ten Hag in Amsterdam, his fellow countryman has the credentials to succeed, outlining his ability to improve players he works with.

"He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work," admitted De Ligt. "He wants to do everything to make his team play better. He's really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer who improves players. He has a lot of qualities to succeed and we will have to see how he goes."

A crop of United's players are scheduled to report back to the club's Carrington training base for the start of pre-season