Manchester United’s impending appointment of Erik ten Hag may be music to the ears of several squad members.
The Ajax boss has a track record of entrusting youth and revitalising slowing careers. He led a young team containing Donny van de Beek and Matthijs de Ligt to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 before turning former West Ham striker Sébastien Haller into a goalscoring powerhouse this season.
A number of United players have been underwhelming this term with only a handful of personnel coming out with a credible reputation. The club are heavy outsiders for a top-four finish with seven Premier League games left to play.
READ MORE: Manchester United to wait for Erik ten Hag on transfer targets
Ten Hag is the fans’ clear favourite for the full-time vacancy and is edging towards signing a deal. The 52-year-old will be aware of the task he has on his hands but will also be confident of getting the best out of a squad that is still steeped in individual quality.
It's fair to say that his arrival would be good news for former Ajax playmaker Van de Beek, so MEN Sport looks at five other United players who could benefit from his arrival.
Jadon Sancho
The attacker hasn’t had a bad second half of the season but his overall performance has been way below what many supporters expected given his £73m price tag. Ten Hag can provide the experience and know-how needed to get Jadon Sancho back to his best, having nurtured the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Antony at Ajax.
An arm around the shoulder is probably more likely to come from the Dutchman than Ralf Rangnick, which is what the England international may need.
Marcus Rashford
The same can be said of Marcus Rashford. The striker is enduring his worst return as a United first-teamer this season with just five goals and looks bereft of confidence.
He must see the arrival of a new manager as a fresh start and trust in a boss who has won the Dutch domestic double on two occasions. There is an England World Cup squad place at stake, after all.
Anthony Martial
If Anthony Martial’s loan at Sevilla was going well then an Old Trafford exit may have been nigh but his poor form in Spain will make it hard for him to find a suitor that will match his wage demands. He is contracted at United until 2024 so may choose to stick it out under a new manager.
The France international can take confidence from the work Ten Hag has done with Haller as a hopeful sign that he can kickstart his career.
Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga has been one of the positives for United amidst a dismal season. The 19-year-old has had a breakthrough year and recently earned his first cap for Sweden.
Luckily for him, Ten Hag is known for favouring youngsters with huge potential and they often become the main focal points of his team. Elanga could be in store for even more game-time because of this.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The full-back has been in and out of the team since Rangnick’s arrival having failed to stamp his authority at right-back since his 2019 arrival from Crystal Palace. That said, he’s still 24 and has time on his side.
Like Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka may see the arrival of Ten Hag as a chance for a clean slate. Under a youth-driven Ten Hag, he is more likely to produce performances that finally catch the eye of Gareth Southgate for an England call-up.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
