When it comes to winning the Premier League title, Manchester United haven’t had a prayer this year.
But they may well have one or two next season – because their new boss used to be an altar boy.
And Erik Ten Hag, former coach of Dutch giants Ajax, will be holy focused on bringing the good times back to Old Trafford.
His devout upbringing was revealed by an old boyhood friend back in his home town in east Holland.
Leon Ten Voorde, pals with Erik for 40 years, said: “We were both on the altar for I think three years.
“But Erik was not a very talented altar boy. Football was everything to him.” The pair served at St Boniface in Haaksbergen.
Jos Westendorp, 62, custodian at the Catholic church, told us: “He is a very nice guy from a good family.
“We are proud of him. Erik was an altar boy here until he was 14.
“He was also baptised and confirmed here and his grandparents are buried in the graveyard.
Erik began his football career at local amateur club Bon Boys, where he still pays £54 a year to be a member. Last month he was there for the opening of a new lounge in his honour. He went on to star for pro side FC Twente before managing Ajax.
Pal Leon reveals they used to go to ballroom dance schools as teenagers, but that Erik was more interested in “meeting girls” than practising fancy footwork.
Now the ex-altar boy – who has a wife Bianca and three children – will hope to be as worshipped at Old Trafford legend Alex Ferguson after taking over as boss next month.
Fergie won 38 trophies in a 26-year spell which saw the club become the world’s richest. Since then David Moyes, Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all knelt at the altar where Fergie made his name - only to be found wanting.
One of Christian Erik’s big decisions will be whether to keep a Christiano – Ronaldo, 37, may well leave at the end of this season.
Meanwhile Leon is confident his fellow altar boy can serve the Red Devils well: “Erik needs time, but he is confident.”
Erik isn’t the first footballer to move between pitch and pulpit.
Pope John Paul II was a highly rated as a goalie in school and university sides in Poland.
Ex-Chelsea and Newcastle ace Gavin Peacock became a church pastor in Calgary, Canada. And ex Man United defender Phil Mulryne, 44, became a Catholic priest after retiring in 2008.
