Erik ten Hag focused on Manchester United after ending season with Ajax

Posted Monday, May 16, 2022 by ESPN

Erik ten Hag has turned his attention to Manchester United after coaching his final game with Ajax.

Ajax ended the Eredivisie season with a 2-2 draw at Vitesse on Sunday but Ten Hag, who will replace interim coach Ralf Rangnick, said postmatch that he has a lot to do in order to prepare United ahead of next season and confirmed he will not attend Ajax's postseason party or trip to Curacao.

"There is a lot of work to be done," Ten Hag said. "The job of the manager is to prepare the preseason. There's a lot of work for our preseason.

"There are things that needs to be organised staff and squad-wise. We will work intensively on that from [Monday onwards]."

United are not in action again until Sunday, away to Crystal Palace, but they have lost four of their last seven Premier League games to end the season in a bad way.

Cristiano Ronaldo said earlier in the week that United must give Ten Hag time if he is to succeed.

"What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he's an experienced coach," Ronaldo said. "But we need to give him time.

"Things need to change the way he wants. I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best.

"We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies."