Erik ten Hag is preparing for his first tasks as Manchester United manager having cleared his desk in Amsterdam.
After restoring Ajax to the Eredivisie summit - with three title wins in four years - the 52-year-old will encounter a fresh challenge at Old Trafford and beyond which is set to commence before the season has finished. However, for Ten Hag, focus has already shifted to the 2022/2023 campaign.
Several items are on the agenda for the Dutchman as he strives to rekindle past glories. Here is our rundown of the things he might initially encounter when it comes to his United checklist;
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo agrees with Jadon Sancho over Erik ten Hag appointment
Finally catch up with Rangnick
United formalised the Ten Hag appointment last month, but interim manager Ralf Rangnick maintained during his press conferences and interviews since then that he has yet to speak with the incoming coach. That will surely be a first port of call for Ten Hag as he aims to get the inside track on unfamiliar surroundings. Rangnick is set to stay on in a consultancy role and this impending conversation - to discuss current players and targets among other subjects - ought to be the first of many between these two men.
Decide which players to keep/sell
If you ask United supporters to name who they would keep at Old Trafford moving forward, they might not need a second hand to count them all on. David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only two players who have emerged from this dismal season with any genuine credit - even though one or two others have shown glimpses. An exodus is brewing with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani among those out of contract and Nemanja Matic has already confirmed his departure. They will not be the only outgoings, either.
Sort out his backroom staff
The new manager stepping in comes as part of a wider shake-up behind the scenes. Vital figures such as executive vice chairman, Ed Woodward, and transfer negotiator Matt Judge will not form part of the project moving forward, but they ultimately need to be replaced. Richard Arnold has already been moved up in that regard, but there will be further appointments there and on the training ground, too, as Ten Hag forms his coaching team. His Ajax assistant, Mitchell Van der Gaag, has agreed to follow the main man to Manchester and those two are expected to be joined by a familiar face in Steve McClaren.
Bring an end to Ronaldo questions
Will he stay or will he go? That has been a burning question for everyone associated with United - and many more who aren't - but the facts of the matter are simple. Ronaldo still has another season left to run on his contract with a 12-month option beyond that. Even at 37, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has shown he has plenty left in the tank and has pretty much carried United this campaign, in an attacking sense, with 24 goals in all competitions. Ronaldo can be relied on to set the highest standards in training and also score goals. Ten Hag knows full well what he brings to the party and has been glowing in his praise for the Portugal superstar. Enough said.
Put together a transfer shortlist
Regardless of who became manager, recruitment was always going to be the most important factor for United this summer as they aim to bridge the gap on Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea - not to mention north Londoners Arsenal and Tottenham who left them standing in the push for Champions League qualification. Frenkie de Jong has been earmarked for a potential reunion with his former Ajax manager if Barcelona play ball over his would-be move. Framework had already been put together over a potential transfer for Kalvin Phillips as United also set out to sign a new centre-back and attack-minded player, as well.
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