Erik ten Hag explains importance of managing Manchester United dressing room

Incoming Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that it is vital he is able to "manage the dressing room" at Old Trafford next season.

Ten Hag could allegedly be in the stands for Man United's final match of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace, as Ajax have now finished their season.

The Dutchman led the Amsterdam giants to this season's Eredivisie title, with the success being confirmed with a 5-0 victory over Heerenveen on May 11, before the team finished their campaign away to Vitesse on Sunday, playing out a 2-2 draw.

After the contest, Ten Hag was asked about the media pressure that he would face at Man United, but the 52-year-old said that he only needed to focus on controlling the dressing room.

"I don't see them like that. I don't see you like that too, nobody. What it's all about is the dressing room, you need to be able to manage the dressing room. You have to make it function. That's how you win games," The European Lad quotes Ten Hag as saying.

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Ten Hag has also confirmed that he will be stepping straight into work at Man United rather than taking a break, as "there is a lot to take care of" at the club.

"It's time to turn the switch now. It's something that is needed because there is a lot to take care of and I have the energy for it," he added.

The Dutchman will be heading to a team without Champions League football next term, with the Red Devils instead battling for a spot in the 2022-23 Europa League.

Man United are currently two points clear of seventh-placed West Ham United in the Premier League table ahead of their final match of the campaign at Crystal Palace next Sunday.

West Ham, meanwhile, are away at Brighton & Hove Albion, with one of the teams set to secure sixth, and a spot in the Europa League, while the other faces dropping into the Europa Conference League.

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Ten Hag is believed to be keen to make Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante his first signing as head coach, while Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is also being strongly linked with a move to the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo appears set to remain at Old Trafford, but a new centre-forward is expected to arrive, while another centre-back will be targeted in the upcoming market.

Ten Hag is believed to be bringing Steve McClaren with him to Manchester, with the Englishman previously working at the club as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson.

A number of players will leave Old Trafford this summer, meanwhile, with Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic all preparing to depart at the end of their contracts.