Ten Hag says ‘external agency’ recruited by Glazers screened him – Multiple meetings held ahead of Manchester United job

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that the club used an ‘external agency’ to screen him ahead of his move from Ajax.

The Dutch manager arrived at Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term replacement in the summer, following Ralf Rangnick’s unsuccessful spell as interim boss last season.

He arrived at Manchester United with a glowing reputation following his time with Ajax, who he joined from Utrecht in 2017.

Ten Hag would manage them for the next five years, winning the Eredivisie title on three separate occasions, the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff shield in 2019.

His work in the Champions League really added to his reputation, with the Dutch side reaching the semi-finals in 2018/19 for the first time since 1997 and regularly competing far beyond what they should have done given their budget.

It seems, though, Manchester United weren’t sold on that and wanted to know the man they would be hiring thoroughly before going through with the appointment.

“In the spring, interest from Manchester United emerged,” he told Voetbal International, relayed by Voetbal Primeur.

“The club proceeded very carefully and indicated they had three candidates. I had a conversation with sporting director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher about the football technical part, but that was far from all.

“I also met with the CEO, then with the owners. And with an external agency employed by the owners. They had screened me completely.”