Manchester United officially appoint Erik Ten Hag as new manager

Manchester United held off on appointing a permanent manager when they sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their manager in November as they looked to make a thorough evaluation to make the right decision. After careful deliberation, the English giants have officially hired current Ajax manager Erik ten Hag as their new boss as they look to usher in a new era under the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

It is understood that the Manchester club’s hierarchy was left impressed with the Dutch boss in an official interview in March and CEO Richard Arnold made him the preferred candidate earlier this month. Ten Hag has signed a three-year deal with an optional 12-month extension on the table if both parties agree to continue their relationship.

The current Ajax boss will see out the season with the Dutch club and will hope to end his tenure on a high as they look to achieve Eredivise glory at the end of the season with Ajax occupying first place and sitting four points clear of second-place PSV with five games left to play.

The 52-year-old expressed his delight at being granted the opportunity to taking over such a prestigious club.

"It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead. 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,” Ten Hag told United’s website.

"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,” he added.