Daley Blind believes Manchester United have made an inspired decision in hiring Erik ten Hag as their new manager, but has warned the club’s players their new boss is a ‘control freak’.
The 52-year-old was appointed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent successor last month and is set to begin his major rebuilding task in earnest.
United have dispensed with the services of interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who had been slated to fill a consultancy role but has instead taken up a post with the Austria international team.
Ten Hag is hopeful of overseeing a major overhaul of the playing staff this summer but whoever arrives, or remains, Blind, who relaunched his career under his compatriot at Ajax after leaving United, believes his old manager is the best man for the job.
‘He’s really social,’ Blind told United’s official website. ‘I think, also in Ajax, he knows everyone at the club is important. Everyone needs to be involved to get that winning feeling, that winning mentality.
‘Everyone is needed pointing in the same direction. He is aware of that and wants to keep everything close. He’s also a control freak and wants to be on top of everything. I think that’s a special quality you need to have when being that good.
‘I think he is a brilliant coach. A manager who loves to play attacking football, what Manchester stands for.
‘I think he’s a manager who knows what he wants. He knows exactly how he wants to bring it over to the team and express that and keep everyone on board, everyone in the same direction to get that winning mentality and winning trophies.’
‘It’s difficult to say,’ Blind added when quizzed on when United can start winning the top honours again. ‘I won’t burn my hands on that but I think the most important thing is that the team puts out a playing style and people can see that back on the pitch.
‘I think, if that’s going to happen, then winning will become more easy. From winning, you win trophies. When this happens, I don’t know.
‘I know this manager has the quality and I hope he gets the time to put everything his way and makes sure the team plays how he wants. I am confident he will be successful.’
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