Paul Merson has questioned Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's credentials ahead of his arrival at Old Trafford, claiming the Dutchman is going to find it "hard" in the Premier League.
The 52-year-old leaves Ajax having led the Dutch giants to three Eredivisie crowns. He arrives at United looking to bring success back to Old Trafford, with United not having tasted silverware since their 2017 Europa League triumph.
Ten Hag is expected to oversee a squad overhaul this summer as he looks to build a team capable of challenging at the top end of the Premier League. However, Merson has questioned his credentials having not yet managed in one of Europe's top five leagues.
"He's got to prove himself. It's alright saying you're going to come in and play the Ajax way, play on the front foot, that's Dutch football," Merson told Sky Sports. "He had the best team by a million miles over there, you look at [Dusan] Tadic, he didn't really kick it over here - no one else really wanted him - he's the best player over in Holland.
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"[Sebastien] Haller couldn't get a game here and can't stop scoring. I heard one story saying he could bring Haller with him, surely Man United fans won't be having that? Dutch football haven't got a Man City, a Chelsea, a Liverpool, a Tottenham or Arsenal or West Ham, this is going to be hard.
"It's going to be a hard, hard road. This is a five-year plan. He's got to get going next season and make sure he's got to do better than they did this season, if they get fourth that's a major feat.
"There's a lot to be done, you can't build a house on muddy ground, he's got to put the foundation down, he's got to be here five years, he's got to plan and in five years' time, Man United have to win the Premier League. But it goes in little steps, don't start trying to run before you can walk again."
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