Jaap Stam believes Erik ten Hag has done "a lot of very good things" in his first season in charge of Manchester United but that more work is needed to get the club back to where it needs to be and he must learn from his first 12 months at the helm.
Ten Hag arrived at United last summer after being brought in from Dutch side Ajax. Taking over a side which finished sixth in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign, Ten Hag has overseen a revival in his first campaign in charge at United.
He led United to a third placed finish in the top flight, which in turn has ensured the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford for next season. He has also won silverware with the Carabao Cup, ending six years without a trophy for United.
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United also reached the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Former United defender Stam, who was part of the club's Treble-winning 1999 side, believes his countryman has done well in his first season in charge, but that it must act as a learning curve for the future.
Speaking on BBC Football Focus, Stam said: "I think he still needs to do more, in a positive way. He’s done a lot of very good things at United, at first being very consistent and getting these results with the team.
"You see that he is trying to implement certain ways of playing football - being a little bit more dominant, more possession, trying to create opportunities. He’s changed it from the beginning of the season into a bit more transition play because they’ve dropped a little bit deeper, used [Marcus] Rashford a lot, in transition he’s been doing a great job for United, but he’s trying bit by bit to implement his philosophy, his way of playing, and that’s what we’ve seen in Holland as well.
"The teams that he’s been managing in Holland, he’s been very successful in being strict about what he wants to do, the players being clear in his philosophy, telling it to the players, making the players believe in what they need to do, which is a very positive thing. I think that’s what you need - a manager that takes charge in everything but also has a very clear philosophy in how he wants to play and is demanding of his players of how to perform and what to do in certain situations.
"This season he’s won the Carabao Cup, now he’s in the final again, reached the Champions League for next season which is a great achievement, but the most important thing for him now - and next season is going to be more important for him - this season has been like a learning curve for him and also trying to make progress with the team, which he’s succeeded in. He needs more better players in the team as well to eventually get close to City and to win the Premier League."
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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