It is difficult to know just where Erik ten Hag will start. The current Ajax manager has been appointed Manchester United’s latest permanent manager on a three-year deal, with the option to extend for a further year, which will start in the summer. Having held talks and sought reassurances, the 52-year-old Dutchman feels he can be the one to bring United back to life.

How exactly he goes about it will be interesting to watch. Ten Hag has spent more than four years in charge of Ajax, winning the Dutch league and cup double in 2018-19 and 2020-21. His team lost the 2022 cup final to PSV last Sunday but are on course to secure another league title. He is clearly admired in footballing circles, with even Pep Guardiola — under whom he worked as reserve coach at Bayern Munich — dishing out the plaudits.

But stepping into Old Trafford, the Theatre of Fading Dreams, and positioning himself into the tremendously hot seat, which has seen off six managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, represents a challenge even for the most aspiring of coaches.

“It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,” read Ten Hag’s statement. “I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.

“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”

Even before he moves to Manchester, Ten Hag will be up to speed with United’s current predicament. A quick glance of the tape from their embarrassing 4-0 loss to Liverpool will be enough. He will no doubt see his job as an overhaul of a squad that has quality players but has badly drifted for too long.

The key demand that the new manager sought was to be allowed the final decision on transfers together with the club executive. That in itself highlights the extent to which the Dutchman wants to get a stranglehold on a bloated and tired squad.

During his time at Ajax, it has been his work with younger players that’s made the headlines. He nurtured centre back Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Frenkie De Jong before they were sold to Juventus and Barcelona respectively. The lack of Ten Hag’s coaching has no doubt been a reason behind neither player pushing on as fully as expected at their new clubs.

Ajax’s run to the 2019 Champions League semi finals was when Ten Hag and his ways became mainstream. His ability to make the most of modest resources through hours on the training pitch and diligent tactics stood out.

However, at United he will enter a club that has an identity — albeit one which has been strained and diluted by the woes of recent seasons — and the club concluded that he was the candidate most closely aligned with their identity and strategy, and were impressed by his passion, energy and enthusiasm for the task of trying to restore the club to the top.

Ten Hag’s in-tray is already large, and growing by the match, but it is unrealistic to expect him to address everything. This is seen as a reset also for John Murtough, United’s football director, and Darren Fletcher, the technical director, along with Richard Arnold, the club’s relatively new chief executive.

Still, Ten Hag will be responsible with on-field matters — and results are what determine the mood across an entire club — and there is plenty to get stuck into. Despite interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s efforts, United lack structure, plan and identity on the pitch. Whether it be the lack of pressing or defensive shape, there is currently no clear approach unlike Manchester City and Liverpool who have built a successful ethos over time.

Overhauling bloated squad is no quick fix

Ten Hag has overseen a defined style of play at Ajax — notably pass and move plus pressing — and he will be keen to instil this in his new charges. Come to which there could be plenty of new charges. There are doubts over the futures of around two thirds of the first team squad with a host of players wanting out. Nemanja Matic has confirmed he is leaving at the end of the campaign and Paul Pogba heads a group of players comprising Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Lee Grant who are out of contract at the end of the season.

Also, any of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Axel Tuanzebe and Andreas Pereira could also leave the club and Ten Hag will have decisions to make over the futures of a plethora of other players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Donny van de Beek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles and Victor Lindelof. What’s more, Ten Hag must assess Harry Maguire and whether he deserves the undroppable nature that the United captaincy offers.

There are players about whom the new manager can be positive: Scott McTominay is the type of hardworking midfielder who would relish pronounced tutelage whereas Jadon Sancho can make the difference when cutting in from wide and Ten Hag will place confidence in the 22-year old. Bruno Fernandes is a fine playmaker who performs best when surrounded by other high-quality players and arresting Marcus Rashford’s slump in form should be a priority. Few care about United as much as Rashford.

Improving the facilities at Old Trafford and Carrington should also happen under Ten Hag’s reign. If the hope is to slowly build United back into an English and European super team, then all assets need to be working to their greatest potential. Appreciation of resources rather than dilapidation.

Plenty of work to be getting on with, Erik.