TEN HAG EAGER TO TAKE UNITED BACK TO TOP OF ENGLISH GAME

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 Monday’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 per cent 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 relishes the challenge he faces.

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