The magnitude of the task that awaits the next permanent manager of Manchester United is huge.

It was believed that Manchester United would mount a credible Premier League title challenge following the signings of players such as Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Cristiano Ronaldo during last summer's transfer window. As a result, with nine games remaining in the season, they face the danger of missing out on a spot in the top four and a spot in next season's Champions League competition.

To be unable to brag about playing in the Champions League would be a big setback for the club, not least in their ambitions to acquire new players who want to compete against the very best that Europe has to offer on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Regardless, they require a new manager to take over and steer the team back in the correct direction, regardless of whether they are participating in Europe's premier club competition or not.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is the favorite candidate to take over for Ralf Rangnick as United's next manager ahead of next season. Since November, the Dutchman has been associated with the position, and he is a popular pick among the team's followers.

The position, should he be hired, will present him with an enormous number of challenges to deal with in the immediate and long terms. In light of this, MEN Sport has identified four areas in which the Dutchman should strive to improve if he is appointed to the position.

Create a philosophy and system that are clear.

Ten Hag has been extremely successful at Ajax as a result of the tight, uniformed mentality that the organization has in place. Everyone is aware of their responsibilities and sings from the same hymnal.

The club has achieved great development over the previous few years, both on and off the field, as a result of the vision that has been laid out from the very top of the organization. As a result, Ten Hag has gained confidence in his abilities and has been able to perform to the very best of his abilities, all while bringing success to the Johan Cruyff Arena and its patrons.

United have been missing in vision and a clear philosophy, which means they must put those in place with Ten Hag's assistance in order to ensure that the Dutchman can reproduce his success at Old Trafford in the future. To be successful, United must establish a recognizable brand of football that both spectators and players can comprehend.

While it is the responsibility of those at the top of the club, such as Richard Arnold and John Murtough, to lay out a clear vision for everyone to follow, Ten Hag, should he be appointed, should also have a role in the club's future direction. It is important to note that he has a reputation at Ajax for adhering to company policy.

Old Trafford should be transformed back into a fortress.

Liverpool. Manchester City is a football club based in Manchester, England. Middlesbrough. Atletico Madrid is a Spanish football club. Every setback at Old Trafford that United has experienced this season has added to the increasing catalogue of dreadful, memorable defeats that the club has suffered - and that list could grow much more by May.

Old Trafford no longer has the reputation of being one of the most difficult stadiums to attend in the United Kingdom. A spot where various clubs have detected blood upon their arrival and provided their followers with an unforgettable day out in the sun.

A club of Manchester United's stature requires them to turn their home field into a fortress and a location that opponents dread going to. Ten Hag would have to make it a major priority, no matter how he went about doing it.

While the defeats to rivals Liverpool and City were humiliating, albeit in very different ways, it is the failure to beat teams such as Aston Villa, Everton, and Wolves that may prove to be the most costly for United this season. As a result, it is clear that Ten Hag has a very visible problem with their home form that has to be addressed.

Make Marcus Rashford go off the rails.

Marcus Rashford is the player who, if there is one player in the Manchester United squad who requires a breath of fresh air, it is him. In recent months, the England international's career has come to a grinding halt, and he is in serious need of being scooped up off the floor and reinvigorated with newfound determination.

Rashford is pondering his future at Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report published earlier this month by the Manchester Evening News. However, a substantial offer would be required for the club to contemplate releasing him. However, despite having had a bad season, there is a talented player hidden within him, and that cannot be disputed.

Despite the fact that he is no longer a young kid trying to make it in the world, he is still just 24 years old, giving him plenty of time to mature and live up to the expectations that were placed on him when he first appeared on the scene in 2016. It is clear that Ten Hag's tactics have the power to help players, particularly young ones, and there is no reason why his presence cannot have an impact on Rashford's development.

He, along with several other members of the squad, has lost their way this season. But he is still a tremendously talented individual, and Ten Hag may be the key to unlocking his potential once more.

Make it difficult for United to defeat you.

United's defensive struggles have been concerning this season, despite the fact that it seems like an usual footballing cliche. None of the clubs presently occupying the top eight positions in the Premier League table have conceded more goals in the league than they have this season.

So far this season, they have let up 40 goals in the league, which is only four less goals than they gave up in the entire previous season. A number of times, their weakness in the back has been revealed, and they need to tighten things up there.

With the purchase of Varane in the summer, United were expected to enhance their defensive picture. However, his injury problems, combined with other ailments and bad form from other players, have meant that they have not been able to achieve the stability that they had hoped for. Nonetheless, a new season and a new age should bring with it a new sense of optimism.

In the league this season, Ajax have been outstanding defensively, conceding only 13 goals, demonstrating the level of effort that Ten Hag puts into his defensive responsibilities. Even though every club and league is different, his track record speaks for itself in this regard.

It's been a tough year for Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.

Rashford is pondering his future at Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report published earlier this month by the Manchester Evening News. However, a substantial offer would be required for the club to contemplate releasing him. However, despite having had a bad season, there is a talented player hidden within him, and that cannot be disputed.

Despite the fact that he is no longer a young kid trying to make it in the world, he is still just 24 years old, giving him plenty of time to mature and live up to the expectations that were placed on him when he first appeared on the scene in 2016. It is clear that Ten Hag's tactics have the power to help players, particularly young ones, and there is no reason why his presence cannot have an impact on Rashford's development.

He, along with several other members of the squad, has lost their way this season. But he is still a tremendously talented individual, and Ten Hag may be the key to unlocking his potential once more.

Make it difficult for United to defeat you.

United's defensive struggles have been concerning this season, despite the fact that it seems like an usual footballing cliche. None of the clubs presently occupying the top eight positions in the Premier League table have conceded more goals in the league than they have this season.

So far this season, they have let up 40 goals in the league, which is only four less goals than they gave up in the entire previous season. A number of times, their weakness in the back has been revealed, and they need to tighten things up there.

With the purchase of Varane in the summer, United were expected to enhance their defensive picture. However, his injury problems, combined with other ailments and bad form from other players, have meant that they have not been able to achieve the stability that they had hoped for. Nonetheless, a new season and a new age should bring with it a new sense of optimism.

In the league this season, Ajax have been outstanding defensively, conceding only 13 goals, demonstrating the level of effort that Ten Hag puts into his defensive responsibilities. Even though every club and league is different, his track record speaks for itself in this regard.