Ten Hag insists United overhaul is not a risk

Erik Ten Hag does not believe joining Manchester United at this low ebb is a risk, with the newlyappointed manager hopeful of breaking the Manchester City and Liverpool duopoly.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace was a fitting end to a wretched campaign in which the Red Devils recorded their lowest ever Premier League points tally.

Ten Hag was at Selhurst Park for United’s meek season finale and officially began work the following day, when the former Ajax boss stepped through the doors of Old Trafford for the first time.

The 52-year-old said “it feels like my home already” as he outlined his vision for the floundering team at yesterday’s unveiling press conference.

“I don’t see it as a risk,” the Dutchman said of joining United. “I think this club has a great history – and now, yeah, let’s make a future.

“I’m really excited to do that with the people around, who are in the club. We bring some new people in with the staff. We will analyse the squad and we will go from day to day.

“Work hard, 100% committed and then I’m sure we will get success.”

Ten Hag has to reshape and reinvigorate a group that boasts talent but stumbled home in sixth, sneaking into the Europa League thanks to West Ham’s inability to win at Brighton.

United finished an eyewatering 35 points behind champions City, who pipped Liverpool to the title in a season that could yet end with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds adding the Champions League to their FA Cup and Carabao Cup triumphs. It is a big ask to break their rivals’ stranglehold but Ten Hag insists he relishes the challenge.

“In this moment, I admire them both,” he said. They play in this moment really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Man City.

“But you always see an era can come to an end and I am looking forward to battle with them, and I am sure all the other Premier League clubs will want to do that.”

Asked if that can be done before Pep Guardiola and Klopp leave English football, he said: “I think (so), yeah.”

Ten Hag spoke with confidence about his plans for the club but was coy when quizzed about some matters – a marked change from the way predecessor Ralf Rangnick opened up to the media.

The German begins a two-year consultancy role at United after a poor interim stint in which he claimed open heart surgery was required to change the club’s fortunes.

“It’s part of my analysis,” Ten Hag said of his conversations with Rangnick.

“I analyse by myself, I observe and I speak with a lot of people. But finally I will draw my own line.”

Asked if he endorsed Rangnick’s consultancy role, he retorted: “That is on the club.”

There are set to be some big changes to the squad this summer, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani among a number of players out of contract.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future has also been the subject of speculation after a frustrating return to United.

“Of course (he fits into the project),” Ten Hag said, before being pushed on what he will bring to his side.

“Ronaldo? Goals! I talk first with Ronaldo before I talk with you.”

Earlier yesterday, United had announced the appointments of Steve McClaren and Mitchell Van Der Gaag as Ten Hag’s assistant coaches.

Former England, Middlesbrough and Newcastle manager McClaren returns to Old Trafford having previously been assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at United from 1999 to 2001.

It is a reunion with Ten Hag, who was his number two when he was in charge at Dutch side Twente.

Van Der Gaag, a former Motherwell defender, has spent the last year as Ten Hag’s assistant at Ajax.

All three men were in attendance at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

John Stones claims the taste of success has got better every year after claiming his fourth Premier League winner’s medal with Manchester City. The England defender returned from injury to feature in City’s dramatic title-clinching comeback victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. City had trailed 2-0 with 14 minutes remaining but, knowing only a victory could guarantee they would pip Liverpool to the crown, hit back with three goals in a stunning five-minute spell to win 3-2. He said: “We made it difficult for everyone. Probably a few weren’t happy with us for 70-odd minutes but what an incredible day.” Stones and his team-mates celebrated their win with an open-top bus parade yesterday.