Erik ten Hag is all set to be appointed as the new Manchester United manager after the Old Trafford club and the current Ajax boss reached a verbal agreement earlier this month.
The Dutchman saw his side suffer a 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Cup final at the weekend, despite taking the lead in the first half.
After the tie, the incoming Manchester United manager stressed Ajax deserved to win the tie and even took a dig at the match officials by stating his side “played against more than eleven players”.
De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen claims the 52-year-old’s comments are ‘nonsense, of course’ because individual errors made by Ajax players cost them the cup final.
Driessen points out how the Eredivisie side’s performances have dropped, even though they have managed to get results in this calendar year. He blames this partly on Ten Hag’s in-game management.
“The poor attacking game against PSV did not come as a surprise. In the cup final, Ajax continued the mediocre form of the last few weeks in the Eredivisie,” Driessen said.
“For the time being, Ten Hag is unable to stop the downward spiral. The game doesn’t get any better and his decisions don’t take effect. As the dream coach of Manchester United is not known as a game changer with his substitution policy. Not even in De Kuip.”
“The banishment of André Onana was understandable after all the commotion. The Cameroon goalkeeper’s excuse injury typified his lack of professionalism. However, replacement, Maarten Stekelenburg, was not exempt from Cody Gakpo’s winning cup goal.
“Brian Brobbey ahead of Sébastien Haller could be explained tactically, but like Ihattaren it was just a gamble.
“The Amsterdam striker lacks match rhythm and was not involved. While Ten Hag victimised his goalscorer Haller with a reserve role. Note well the top scorer of the Eredivisie, often praised by him, and the European sensation (ten goals) of the group stage in the Champions League. That is why Ten Hag did not go unpunished in the cup final.”
After the disappointment in the cup final, Ten Hag’s immediate focus will be to help Ajax win the title. They are currently four points ahead of second placed PSV.
The journalist states the coach ‘does not want to be waved off as a loser’ following a successful spell at the club. He further adds it would be a ‘failure’ for Ten Hag if Ajax don’t win the league this season.
“In that case, Ten Hag will arrive in England wobbly. Because there they know how to deal with trainers who do not meet expectations,” says Driessen.
Meanwhile, Algemeen Dagblad columnist Hugo Borst had to say this on Ten Hag’s choice to pick Manchester United. 
“The most unwise thing he seems to do is choose Manchester United. In fact, Ten Hag succeeds Alex Ferguson. Just like Van Gaal, Mourinho and Solskjaer, among others, did,” Borst said.
“That is impossible if you also know that the former United players are horribly powerful in the media, and they’ll be able to keep you on your feet for the least tactical error.
“Let’s hope that Ten Hag does not lose the Dutch national title too, because every mistake is picked up overseas and widely reported. His choice for Manchester United already looks like a mission impossible.”
