Erik ten Hag does not believe joining Manchester United at this low ebb is a risk, with the newly-appointed manager hopeful of breaking the Manchester City and Liverpool duopoly.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace was a fitting end to a wretched campaign in which the Red Devils recorded their lowest ever Premier League points tally.
Ten Hag was at Selhurst Park for United’s meek season finale and officially began work the following day, when the former Ajax boss stepped through the doors of Old Trafford for the first time.
The 52-year-old said “it feels like my home already” as he outlined his vision for the floundering team at Monday’s unveiling press conference.
“I don’t see it as a risk,” the Dutchman said of joining United. “I think this club has a great history – and now, yeah, let’s make a future.
“I’m really excited to do that with the people around, who are in the club. We bring some new people in with the staff. We will analyse the squad and we will go from day to day.
“Work hard, 100 per cent committed and then I’m sure we will get success.”
Ten Hag has to reshape and reinvigorate a group that boasts talent but stumbled home in sixth, sneaking into the Europa League thanks to West Ham’s inability to win at Brighton.
United finished an eye-watering 35 points behind champions City, who pipped Liverpool to the title in a season that could yet end with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds adding the Champions League to their FA Cup and League Cup triumphs.
It is a big ask to break their rivals’ stranglehold but Ten Hag relishes the challenge.
“In this moment, I admire them both,” he said. “They play in this moment really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Man City.
“But you always see an era can come to an end and I am looking forward to battle with them, and I am sure all the other Premier League clubs will want to do that.”
Asked if that can be done before Pep Guardiola and Klopp leave English football, he said: “I think [so], yeah.”
Ten Hag spoke with confidence about his plans for the club but was coy when quizzed about some matters – a marked change from the way predecessor Ralf Rangnick opened up to the media.
The German begins a two-year consultancy role at United after a poor interim stint in which he claimed open heart surgery was required to change the club’s fortunes.
“It’s part of my analysis,” Ten Hag said of his conversations with Rangnick.
“I analyse by myself, I observe and I speak with a lot of people. But finally I will draw my own line.”
Asked if he endorsed Rangnick’s consultancy role, he retorted: “That is on the club.”
Ten Hag began the press conference by shaking hands with members of the media at Old Trafford, where he becomes the second Dutchman to take the hot seat.
Louis van Gaal has been open with his criticism of his former club since being fired after winning the 2016 FA Cup, saying in March he would advise Ten Hag to “choose a football club not a commercial club”.
“I spoke with Louis,” Ten Hag said. “I was at the premiere of his movie.
“I have heard but, as I said, I draw my own line. I’m convinced that this will not be the case and I spoke of course with the directors about it.
“But football is [priority] one, two and three at this club and every club in these days is commercial and every club needs it.
“You need the revenue to be in the top, so to do what’s necessary but football is one, two, three in this club.”
Crystal Palace v Man United ratings
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CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita 7 – Did well to twice deny Mejbri, first when off balance, and again to tip the ball over the bar. Rewarded with a clean sheet. Reuters -
Nathaniel Clyne 8 – A positive performance at both ends, he continued his excellent recent form. He helped start attacks and transition the ball forward, and made some vital interceptions, too. AP Photo -
Joel Ward 7 – Despite playing out of position, he did well. He denied Mejbri a shooting chance, and came close with a header at the other end. AFP -
Joachim Andersen 7 – Battled well to keep Cavani quiet in what was an intriguing and physical matchup. Excellent distribution throughout. EPA -
Tyrick Mitchell 7 – Went about his business efficiently, and delivered another solid performance. A strong end to an impressive campaign. EPA -
Will Hughes 6 – Played at the base of Palace’s midfield and marshalled the space in front of his defence well, while starting attacks for the home side. AP Photo -
Jeffrey Schlupp 6 – Another solid outing. He came close to scoring but was denied by De Gea. Getty Images -
Conor Gallagher 7 – Back to his best. He was superb putting United’s players under pressure. He also caused the opposing defence problems with his set-piece deliveries. AFP -
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi 5 – Impressive in his first start. Was guilty of losing the ball with Palace in a good attacking position, but overall will take confidence from his display. EPA -
Wilfried Zaha 8 – Match winner Zaha could have had two. He forced De Gea into a save inside the first half-hour, but went one better with his next effort to seal the points. AP Photo -
Odsonne Edouard 5 – Worked really hard to try and win the ball back, but was guilty of making some poor decisions. A bit erratic. EPA -
SUBS: Cheikhou Kouyate (Rak-Sakyi, 67) 7 – Made some vital blocks to help the Eagles close the game out. Did his job well. Getty Images -
Eberechi Eze (Edouard, 79) N/A – With Edouard struggling, Eze brought some fresh legs to try and inject some pace. Didn’t have a huge influence, but was an upgrade. AFP -
James McArthur (Hughes, 83) N/A – With Hughes tiring, McArthur brought a level head to the middle to help see out the final seven minutes. Getty Images -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 - Wasn’t at fault for the goal. One of United’s best players of a dreadful season. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 4 - Up against it with Wilfried Zaha and he didn’t best the former Manchester United man. He’s had a good run in the team this season. Has he convinced? About as much as his team. Booked. EPA -
Victor Lindelof 4 - He’s not had a good end to the season and opponents target him. Booked as United ended a season with the lowest points total since 1990. AP Photo -
Harry Maguire 5 - A season to forget. Needs to refresh over the summer and get back to where he was a year ago before his injury. Captains a team that has lost their last six away games, scoring two and conceding 17. EPA -
Alex Telles 5 - The United fans in the Arthur Wait Stand could hear him as he instructed his teammates and pushed them on. No mistakes today. So there’s a change. Getty Images -
Scott McTominay 4 - Bad challenge against him saw a yellow card, but he was culpable with missing a header and misplaced passes as United didn’t dominate midfield. Strong in the air. AFP -
Fred 4 - Back in the side after seven weeks out. He tries to speed play up and make United more progressive. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 4 - Yet another player who has to get back to where he was. Huffs and puffs and helped Palace for their goal. Also had four shots himself. McTominay managed two and no other United player had more than one. Booked. AFP -
Anthony Elanga 5 - Had one of United’s better chances on a wretched afternoon. Had his name sung too, but Mitchell wasn’t troubled by him as United’s atrocious away form hit six straight defeats. AFP -
Hannibal Mejbri 6 - Some excitement from the 3,000 travelling fans when they found out he was starting. One of United’s better players, especially early in the first half. Booked after a tussle with Zaha. EPA -
Edinson Cavani 5 - He’s annoyed some of his teammates in recent months by not being available to play enough, yet when he does play he gives more effort than his teammates. Makes key passes, lobbed an effort which Guaita tipped towards his bar. Will leave after an awful season. EPA -
SUBS: Juan Mata 5 - On for Mejbri after 62 minutes and the last United player on the pitch as he waved goodbye to the applauding fans. Good man, good player, he’ll be wished well as he searches to find happiness on a football field elsewhere. AFP -
Shola Shoretire 5 - On for Fred after 75 minutes and a first appearance of the season for last season’s Young Player of the Year. AP Photo -
Alejandro Garnacho 5 - On for Dalot after 79 minutes. Some end of season minutes for the promising youngster. Getty Images
There are set to be some big changes to the squad this summer, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani among a number of players out of contract.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future has also been the subject of speculation after a frustrating return to United.
“Of course [he fits into the project],” Ten Hag said, before being pushed on what he will bring to his side.
“Ronaldo? Goals! I talk first with Ronaldo before I talk with you.”
Ronaldo’s leadership could be key for United, whose current captain Harry Maguire’s position with the armband has been widely debated.
“I have to repeat, next season is a different season but I think he did a great job,” Ten Hag said towards the end of his press conference.
“He is a great player, he already achieved a lot with his contribution to Man United, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
