Former centre-back Mikael Silvestre believes soon-to-be Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will have to change the club's recruitment style to put them back on the path to success.
The current Ajax chief was officially announced as United's next permanent manager last week and will take charge at Old Trafford ahead of the start of next season. Ten Hag will face the challenge of overseeing what promises to be one of the biggest transfer windows that the club has faced in recent years.
United's failed recruitment strategy has caught up with them this season and they have paid the price for their recent failures. But it is hoped that Ten Hag, in tandem with Ralf Rangnick, should he remain at the club, will be able to start correcting some of those wrongs.
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Ten Hag has followed a strict vision and philosophy throughout his tenure as Ajax boss and it is hoped that United, with his help, will be able to install a similar vision. And for Silvestre, despite the wide range of challenges that Ten Hag has got to try and conquer this summer, it will be changing the style of recruitment and setting the tone with the first few signings that will be the most important aspect of his work during his first few months in charge.
"The biggest [challenge] is to make the right signings," Silvestre told Genting Casino. "The first few signings will be super important because they will set the tone for what he wants to do and the direction that he wants to take.
"That is going to be a challenge because he will have to go away from what everyone is looking at - the next superstar - because that is not what United need at the moment. They need solid, competitive, loyal, intelligent players.
"Players who will put the team before themselves. They've already got superstars at United and there is enough talent in the team. Now, they need hard-working players."
Another one of Ten Hag's biggest challenges will be trying to get United to perform with a sense of swagger and put on a show for their supporters. They have lost their identity in recent years but Silvestre is confident the Dutchman can make his old club entertaining to watch once again.
The former defender continued: "I think he can do that [play with a swashbuckling style]. The big difference between the Premier League and the Dutch league is the speed of the game and the intensity.
"It's down to player selection of course, but his philosophy should work at United. No doubt."
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