The first shot has been fired in what will be a hectic few months for Manchester United, which will include the appointment of a new manager, as well as significant changes within the squad.

United have been conscious that they must choose a new manager as soon as possible in order for prospective transfer targets to know who they would be playing for next season, and it appears that Erik ten Hag will be that manager.

In his new role at United, the 52-year-old will be entrusted with translating his progressive and attractive style of play from Ajax, and he will be busy this summer trying to sign players who will fit into that strategy.

United will lose four first-team players on free transfers in the next three months, with more players potentially on their way out the door. At the absolute least, new arrivals are required in the midfield and the attacking third.

The fact that Ten Hag can work within the Old Trafford system, which is giving more power to football director John Murtough, is one of the factors that has drawn attention to him.

He was instrumental in the interim appointment of Ralf Rangnick and the pursuit of a new permanent manager, and he plans to remain active this summer as United make headway in their chase of new players. Murtough is currently the club's executive vice president of football operations.

Ten Hag, on the other hand, will very certainly have his own ideas on how to shape the squad once a deal is completed, and this will be the first major test of how he will fit into the new system at United.

Ten Hag will have developed a close relationship with several of his players over his five years at Ajax, and he will believe that bringing one or two of them with him will aid in the assimilation of his United players into his system and ideas.

However, United must be careful not to buy players who aren't suited to the Premier League while also providing Ten Hag the players he wants.

A quick look back in time will serve as a timely reminder to United of the dangers of signing players from the Eredivisie - particularly from Ajax - in the first place. Donny van de Beek was a much-hyped £35million transfer who has made only four Premier League starts since joining Everton on loan in January and has failed to make much of an impression since arriving at Goodison Park.

Possibly, Ten Hag will believe that he can rehabilitate Van de Beek, but both Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer determined that he was not suited to play in midfield in the English Premier League despite his previous experience.

For every Ruud van Nistelrooy, there is a Memphis Depay, for every Daley Blind, there is an Alexander Buttner, and for every Ji-sung Park, there is a Van de Beek. United can refer to Ruud van Nistelrooy as an example of a player signed from the Eredivisie who made an immediate impact at this level.

Players who excelled in Holland but struggled to adapt to the English game have been common in the Premier League's history.

While there are some quality players in this Ajax squad, Ten Hag has also added Dusan Tadic and Sebastien Haller, who were both flops in the Premier League but have performed admirably in the Eredivisie.

Jurrien Timber and Antony are the two Ajax players who have been most frequently linked with a move away from the club following Ten Hag's departure, given the fact that 19-year-old midfielder Ryan Gravenberch appears to be on his way to Bayern Munich.

Despite the fact that Timber and Antony have both looked the part this season, the dangers they pose to United are not difficult to understand. Van de Beek was also well-dressed for his role with Ajax.

Summer at Old Trafford will be remembered for many years to come, and United cannot afford to make any mistakes in their decision to hire Ten Hag and then strengthen their squad. If it means frustrating their new manager over some transfer targets, then so be it.