The summer of 2022 has the potential to be the most significant in Manchester United's recent history.

Manchester United will finish the season without a trophy for the second year in a row, with the possibility of missing out on Champions League football for the next season after spending significant money on players such as Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2017. To put it bluntly, their next manager faces a massive challenge, one that cannot be underestimated.

And all of the indications point to Ajax manager Erik ten Hag as the man in charge of handling the struggle ahead. Manchester United are considering hiring the Dutchman to replace Ralf Rangnick as their head coach, according to the Manchester Evening News. However, Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, is still in the running.

Because of the work he has done at the Johan Cruyff Arena, ten Hag has earned a reputation as a highly respected and liked character in recent years. Having taken over as manager of the Dutch giants in December 2017, succeeding Marcel Keizer, the 52-year-old has put them back on the map, guiding them to two Eredivisie titles and numerous victories in the Champions League, all while playing an attractive brand of football and singing from the same hymn sheet that everyone within the club adheres to.

The success of Ten Hag's term can be attributed to Ajax's rigid philosophy and collaborative vision. It has enabled him to put in place solid building blocks, develop young players, perfect recruitment, both inside and outside the club, and enjoy a great deal of success in the process.

Klopp admits it will be "difficult" to replace Trent, who is one-of-a-kind.
In fact, it is the organization and structure that Ajax has in place that has allowed Ten Hag to have such an outstanding run during his tenure as manager. It's also the reason why Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has heaped such high praise on the Dutchman's shoulders.

As Klopp stated in December 2020, "Erik is properly considered as one of the most fascinating coaching talents in international football at the moment because of the work he does with Ajax." "Of course, it is a magnificent club – one of the most illustrious names in European football – but at this point, it is apparent that they have outstanding leadership of the organization, with Erik playing a significant role in that success.

"Because of the departure of a few key players to rival clubs in recent seasons, they have had to adapt. I recall from my own Dortmund experience how it feels and what a challenge it is to be in that situation.

"It is quite remarkable how they deal with it. The team's fundamentals remain strong, and they have done a good job in recruiting.

"They have a distinct personality. I have to admit that I enjoy seeing them."

The knowledge Klopp has provided to United in just a few phrases will ensure that Ten Hag, if he is hired, is a success at Old Trafford. In order to achieve success this summer, it will be necessary to make significant changes to the first-team squad, as well as to the club's general culture and philosophy.

A simple cure for United's current woes is not likely to materialize. Everyone will need to exercise extreme patience during this process.

To be sure, with Manchester City and Liverpool continuing to dominate the competition, it will be difficult for any United supporter to continue to see the Reds fall further behind the leaders. In the long run, as evidenced by Klopp's success at Liverpool, putting in place the right long-term vision, philosophy, and manager will more than make up for years of disappointment and misery in the short term.

For several years, Manchester United has lacked a clear vision, a well-defined recruitment strategy, and a distinguishable style of play. Everyone in Ten Hag agrees that a new manager working under a tight, uniformed policy would be ideal for this summer's transformation.

Because of Ten Hag's lack of managerial experience at a club of United's stature, his appointment may be viewed as a risky move. However, until the water is tested, it is impossible to predict how things will turn out.

In order for him to do his best work, the Reds must establish an environment that allows him to do so. The Dutchman has earned the right to manage such a prestigious team. Ten Hag has the potential to be a great success if they can get the timing and execution correct, even though patient will be required for some time.