Erik ten Hag says he was warned not to take 'impossible job' at Manchester United but 'wanted the challenge'

Erik ten Hag has revealed he was warned not to become Manchester United as it was an “impossible job”.

Ten Hag is the sixth man – after David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick - to manage United after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

He was appointed in 2022 and has come under pressure at times this season, with reports of unrest in the dressing room.

“Everyone was telling me, ‘you can’t succeed in that job,’” Ten Hag told the United We Stand fanzine.

“They said it was impossible. Me? I wanted the challenge. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it was such a great club with such a great fanbase.

“People love Manchester United or they are against Manchester United. I like clubs like this. Ajax was like this.”

United got a much-needed win over Chelsea in midweek to move up to sixth in the Premier League table.

It has been reported that an announcement about Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the club could be close.

But even if that is completed soon, Ten Hag isn’t expecting any big arrivals in the January transfer window.

He said: “I don’t think so - and if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do.

"What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.

“As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with Financial Fair Play, I think the club has to go with it. But realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter.

“The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It’s players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever.

“We have to develop and progress this team. In reality, we go to the next summer window and there will be new players coming in.”

United have gone back and forth at times this season with positive results followed by setbacks.

Their UEFA Champions League campaign has not gone to plan as they must beat Bayern Munich in their last group game next week to have a chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Ten Hag, though, is positive about the future at the club.

“We are building, and I see through the cloud and see a bright future here,” he said.

“I see positive things at Carrington. You might not see them so clearly, but I do.”

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