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Erik ten Hag has the coaching qualities needed to succeed as Manchester United manager, according to Matthijs de Ligt.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag was confirmed as Ralf Rangnick’s successor in April and officially took charge last month.
The Dutchman takes over a United side that recorded their lowest points tally in a Premier League season last term when finishing 35 points behind champions Manchester City.
While the size of the rebuild job is clear to see, Juventus centre-back De Ligt – who played under Ten Hag in Amsterdam – believes his compatriot is up to the task.
“He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work,” De Ligt said. “He’s really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer.
“He has a lot of qualities [to succeed]. We will have to see how he goes.”
United have been tipped to make a number of signings ahead of next season, but De Ligt insists Ten Hag can also get more out of United’s current squad.
“He definitely improves players. He wants to do everything to make his team play better,” the defender said.
Ten Hag, who is United’s fifth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, is reportedly eager to make Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong his first signing.
De Ligt and De Jong played a big part in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19, when also winning a domestic double under the watch of Ten Hag.
However, De Ligt is not sure if his Netherlands team-mate will link up with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
“He’s an amazing player and everybody knows how important he is for the team,” De Ligt said. “But he’s not said anything [about a transfer].”
