Erik ten Hag reveals TEN-point plan to get Man Utd back on top of world football including ‘dominant, dictating play’
ERIK TEN HAG has shared his TEN-POINT plan to get Manchester United back to the top of world football.
The former Ajax boss, 52, watched his new club's horrific season finally come to an end with a drab 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
On Monday morning, Ten Hag gave his first interview as official Man Utd boss.
And he has pulled no punches, revealing he will tear the team down to its bare bones and rebuild it in his own vision.
Incredibly, Ten Hag revealed TEN ways he will change United.
From style of play to the transfer window and channelling legends like Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as the energy of Old Trafford, Ten Hag is certain to have United fans excited after his first interview.
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The Dutchman's ten commandments are:
- Dominate and dictate play at all times
- Work hard and always give 100 per cent
- Renew the squad
- Surround club with competent, quality people
- Implement total high-pressing style
- Utilise the club's young talent
- Play like a team, not individuals
- Win in spectacular, adventurous way
- Implement a fighting culture
- Channel the energy of Old Trafford crowd
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First and foremost, Ten Hag was keen to hammer home the fact he is desperate for Man Utd to attack - including continuing interim boss Ralf Rangnick's work to press high up the pitch.
Ten Hag told the Man Utd website: "We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams. We want to entertain.
"The intention is to play fantastic football. If we can’t play fantastic football, we still have to win.
"[We must] accept the current situation but also know one year ago, this club was second in the Premier League.
"There’s potential and now it’s up to us to get that out. It’s a process, it will take time, but I’m convinced we will come to that point where we get success.
"We have to work hard and it has to be based on the right philosophy and strategy.
"In certain positions we want to renew the squad, but as I said, one year ago, this squad was second in the league, so there is potential and I’m really looking forward to co-operating with the squad.
"I have to build, starting a new relationship with the squad, with my players.
" I have high expectations from myself and that is also what I demand from my squad.
"They have to co-operate together and they have to give every day their best. And I would say, for me, good is not good enough. We have to do better.”
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But Ten Hag admits he too must work hard as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Fergie, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The ex-Ajax chief continued: "I have to do my best and I will give everything, every day. Every day I will go to the maximum that I have, so hopefully I can continue their legacy.
"I know the history of Man Utd, I know the big times and the audience, the vibe that can be around Old Trafford.
"I watched them in their big times, when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager, during the really successful times when they won titles and were dominating Europe.
"But also before Sir Alex, Man Utd was a really big club and I know names like Busby and Charlton that gave Man Utd a presence to the outside world from winning, and winning in a spectacular way, winning so they entertain people.
"What stays with me is there was always a fighting culture. They fight together and they get success.
"The fans behind the ambience at Old Trafford… it will be fabulous and I’m really looking forward to getting that experience.
"I will give everything necessary to get Man Utd back where they belong.
“I’ve been aware of the massive presence and the massive audience around Man Utd.
"It’s all over the world, so I’ve been aware, and I will do my best and take responsibility to deliver them the success they need.”
"The way we did it [at Ajax] - with dominant, dictating football - that is the way I want to act in Man Utd as well.
Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag covered himself in glory with his impressive success at Ajax, where his attack-first approach and faith in their youth system paid off in a huge way, particularly in 2018-19.
That season, Ajax were just minutes away from the Champions League final before Tottenham's last-ditch comeback, while completing the Dutch league-cup Double.
And Ten Hag is planning to stick to his guns, adding: “Of course [there will be similarities], but you never can compare teams.
"The way we did it [at Ajax] - with dominant, dictating football - that is the way I want to act in Man Utd as well.
"But the competence and the quality of the players decide how you have to play.
"I know our opponents are highly motivated to beat Man Utd and we have to be ready for that. To go and win that battle.
"Even if they are over-motivated, we have to be more. We always have to be more willing to win the game than the opponent.
"We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams and have to entertain the opponent. We are playing in the opponent’s half and we have to do attacking football.
"We have to do the pressing, the total high-pressing and the adventurous football.
"Also Ajax has that history of bringing young talents into the first team.”
Ten Hag concluded his interview by insisting it's "not about" him, but instead the team as a whole.
He claimed: “We don’t have to go over my football. It’s about the Man Utd football and about the Man Utd identity and philosophy.
"I think that you pointed it out: it has to be about attacking football. We have to bring structures in the way of playing, so we can play attacking football.
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"Everywhere I was in my career, I have high demands on my players. I expect them to fight and give 100 per cent.
"We have to do better and they have to co-operate. They have to be unified, to form a team, and to battle the opponent.”