Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has warned Erik ten Hag that he would find things very different at Old Trafford to what he has accustomed himself to at Ajax in recent years.
The Dutchman, along with Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino, is one of the frontrunners to be installed as United's next permanent manager ahead of next season. Ten Hag has done a terrific job at Ajax in recent years and has put the club back on the map.
Leading them to two domestic league titles, Ten Hag has also turned the Dutch outfit into a formidable force in Europe, as highlighted by how comfortably they won their Champions League group earlier this season. Despite being pitted up against Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon, they won all six of their group games, scoring 20 goals in the process.
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It is their achievements in Europe, as well as on home soil, that have justified United's interest in Ten Hag. But while the 52-year-old is considered as an up and coming coach with plenty to offer, former United star Stam has warned him that taking over at Old Trafford would be a big step up.
"Ten Hag is doing very well at Ajax; he makes the team a difficult opponent for everyone in Europe and Holland," Stam told Sky Sports Italy. "He is very good at showing the players what to do and also at improving individual players.
"At Ajax, he obviously has the finances to grow the team with young players.
"For him, Man United would be another thing compared to what he is experiencing in Holland. He has to take this step forward in his career."
Meanwhile, Stam has also underlined the importance of United using Cristiano Ronaldo as a key figure within the dressing room. After missing the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, he returned in style against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, netting a superb hat-trick.
The former defender continued: "Ronaldo didn't play in the derby, then scored three goals against Tottenham. It's always difficult to understand what goes on in a dressing room, but Ronaldo showed his strength.
“You have to involve someone like him in decisions; you have to talk to him. He's fundamental for the locker room; he helps you raise the level of the team."
