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Erik ten Hag must be given “full control” to rebuild Manchester United, says former Red Devils striker Dwight Yorke.
Ajax coach Ten Hag signed a three-year deal with the option of another year to replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season when the German moves into a consultancy role at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old will have a sizeable task on his hands in Manchester, with questions surrounding the captaincy of Harry Maguire, and the futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba.
United also look set to fail to qualify for the Champions League next season, sitting six points behind fourth-place Arsenal, who defeated Rangnick’s side 3-1 last Saturday and have played a game fewer.
Indeed, the Red Devils have not lifted a trophy for five years and Yorke called on Ten Hag to embrace the significant challenge in his new role.
“I think [Ten Hag has] got a very difficult job,” Yorke told ESPN. “Simply because it has been a bit of a disaster for us as a football club in terms of personnel and where the team is at.
“There’s no hiding place in that. We’re not where we’re supposed to be. But there’s a new beginning, a new start for a manager who a lot of people don’t particularly know.
“Obviously, he has done well in Holland. [But] the Premier League is a whole new ball game. Manchester United’s manager is on a whole different level.
“You’ve seen the previous managers that have come there with big names and big reputations and they haven’t really got over the line. There’s no doubt the job at hand is something he needs to embrace.”
Rangnick has previously suggested United may need up to 10 players to compete in the following campaign, with United expected to be incredibly active in the next transfer window.
While Rangnick is expected to oversee proceedings at the club, including transfer activity, in his consultancy role, Ten Hag has already insisted he would not have taken the job without some ruling over signings.
Yorke believes Ten Hag must be given time to succeed and full control to help United transform into a force to be reckoned with once again.
“I keep saying that he has to embrace going in there and have full control,” said Yorke, who scored 48 times in 96 league appearances for United between 1998 and 2002.
“If he has full control he can implement his style, his way, and the players that he wants on board to make sure he can get the best out of them. I think that is the key.
“I think they will give him time, the fans are aware of that. But they want to see progress. I know people are saying it will take some time but ultimately they will want to see some progress along the way.
“I can only stand and watch and wish him the best in many respects. But there is no doubt this is the biggest job in world football and with the struggles we’ve encountered this season, there is no way that is going to be an easy task for him.”
