Erik ten Hag expected at Selhurst Park this weekend to watch Manchester United face Crystal Palace
- Sean Fisher
- 19 May 2022
Despite winning the league title with Ajax as recently as last week, new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is already in London ready to watch his new side face Crystal Palace.
Erik ten Hag is wasting no time when it comes to diving in to his new Manchester United role.
The former Ajax boss was confirmed to be taking over the Red Devils for the 2022/23 season four weeks ago, and he's already starting to prepare for the season ahead.
His Ajax side lifted the Eredivisie title last week after a 2-2 draw with Vitesse, but the Dutchman opted to fly to England rather than participate in the club's celebrations.
Following his side's result last Sunday, Ten Hag said "There is a lot of work to be done.
Ramping up our #CRYMUN preparations 📈#MUFC | #PL pic.twitter.com/uutUHquM3z
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 18, 2022
"The job of the manager is to prepare the preseason. There's a lot of work for our preseason.
"There are things that needs to be organised staff and squad-wise. We will work intensively on that."
Ten Hag will fly to London and watch the Red Devils in their final league fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
United have endured a poor season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim manager Ralf Rangnick, with the 13-time Premier League winners sat down in sixth heading into the final day.
Victory against Patrick Vieira's Palace side will ensure Ten Hag can enjoy Europa League football next season, while failure to win could see them drop to seventh should West Ham beat Brighton.
Ten Hag's work around Old Trafford doesn't officially start until the Monday after the Palace fixture, but the new manager is clearly eager to start his role.
On top of attending Sunday's game, Ten Hag has already met with football director John Murtough in Amsterdam to discuss the club's transfer strategy and long-term goals.
Let's go to work 👏🔴#MUFC | #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/CGfaJB6Ags
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 18, 2022
Many have speculated whether Ten Hag will have Cristiano Ronaldo available for selection at Manchester United next season, but reports suggest that the Portuguese icon is now set to stay in Manchester for another year.
The 37-year-old spoke earlier this week about Ten Hag's arrival, and suggested that the side should be aiming to win trophies in his first season in charge.
"What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he's an experienced coach," said Ronaldo "But we need to give him time.
"Things need to change the way he wants. I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best.
"We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies."
