• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Erik ten Hag's first ever Ajax game shows that Man Utd have major problem on their hands

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Updated 15:08 1 Nov 2023 GMTPublished 12:25 1 Nov 2023 GMT

Erik ten Hag's first ever Ajax game shows that Man Utd have major problem on their hands

This should serve as a warning to Red Devils supporters.

Joe Adams

Joe Adams

Erik ten Hag's first ever starting XI as manager of Ajax should serve as a warning to Manchester United.

The Red Devils' dismal start to the season was compounded by their 3-0 home defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City on the weekend, as the pressure builds on the United boss.

Meanwhile, their European form hasn't been any better, having lost two of their opening three Champions League group stage games against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

Advert

As a result, Ten Hag's future has been cast into doubt, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane among the candidates to replace him at Old Trafford.

However, should the club have seen it coming? We've done some digging into Ajax's starting XI when Ten Hag first took the manager's job and it certainly makes for an interesting read.

Ten Hag's first ever game in charge of the Amsterdam club came in a 2-0 win over Feyenoord in 2017. At the time, Ajax boasted a wealth of talent including Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech, Donny van de Beek and Andre Onana, who has since signed for United.

Advert

Every single member of the starting XI that day have since moved on to pastures new, earning the Dutch club a whopping £290 million in player sales.

When considering that figure, one could argue whether Ajax's subsequent success was in fact down to Ten Hag's management, or whether he simply got lucky inheriting such a talented squad.

The following season, Ajax reached the Champions League semi-final, while Ten Hag delivered three consecutive titles in 2018/19, 2020/21 and 2021/22 before joining United.

It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can replicate such success in the Premier League, but it's not like he's been short of resources.

Advert

United have spent over £384 million since Ten Hag's arrival, and barring last season's Carabao Cup trophy, they look no closer to returning to the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Only time will tell whether Ten Hag's management style will prevail at Old Trafford, or whether Ajax's brilliant 2017 squad was the real reason for his impressive CV. Either way, time is running out for the 53-year-old to prove the doubters wrong.

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Manchester United, Ajax, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Frenkie De Jong, Andre Onana, Matthijs De Ligt

Joe Adams
Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

X

@joeadamsjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    De Bruyne and McTominay Forced to Follow Strict Napoli Rule after Leaving Premier League

    Napoli impose a harsh rule on their new signings ahead of Champions League clash

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Barcelona's Brightest Wonderkid Since Lamine Yamal Could Face Newcastle at 15

    He has travelled to England for Barca's Champions League opener.

    Football
  • dia images / Contributor via Getty
    2 hours ago

    FIFA Make Major Spain Announcement after Threat to Boycott 2026 World Cup

    The EURO 2024 winners received a huge boost following their boycott threat.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Liverpool Create Piece of Champions League History With Win Over Atletico Madrid

    Virgil Van Dijk's late winner at Anfield achieved a Champions League first

    Football
  • Erik ten Hag admits Andre Onana hasn't been 'good enough' as Man Utd consider shock transfer decision
  • Erik ten Hag explains why Man Utd will 'never' be able to play football like his old Ajax side
  • Man Utd dressing room 'leak' claims squad left 'dumbfounded' by two Erik ten Hag tactical decisions