Who Could Benefit from the Appointment of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?

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Whenever a new manager arrives at a football club, it can give the players a massive boost. This is especially true for the players who have been left out of the first team picture by the previous manager.

Erik ten Hag will take control of Manchester United come the end of this season but which players are likely to benefit from the arrival of the Dutch manager?

Perhaps the most obvious candidate is Donny van de Beek. The Dutch midfielder was a key player for Ten Hag during his time at Ajax and the manager clearly knows how to get the best from Van de Beek.

Having joined Manchester United at the beginning of the 2020/21 season on a five-year contract for a fee of around £35 million, Van de Beek has featured 50 times for the Red Devils, playing only 579 minutes in the Premier League.

That is the equivalent of just under 6.5 Premier League games, which is incredible for a player who was performing at the highest level for Ajax in the Champions League the previous season.

The appointment of Ten Hag will be music to the ears of Van de Beek and he knows he has a massive chance to launch his career at Manchester United next season.

Marcus Rashford has endured a torrid time for Manchester United this season and his most recent performance against Norwich in the Premier League from the substitutes bench was poor.

There have been hints Rashford may want to move from Old Trafford in the summer and there have also been question marks over his fitness. However, Ten Hag likes to play with quick wingers, who are happy to cut inside to both shot and cross the ball.

The manager will come in with a clear plan of what he wants his attacking players to do and the whole team should be on the same page in that regard, which will help Rashford immensely.

The England international has contributed only 7 attacking returns in all competition this season, which is disappointing. The previous campaign, Rashford ended the season with 37 attacking returns in all competitions, so there is no doubt the talent is there and Ten Hag could be the man to make it happen for Rashford in the 2022/23 campaign.

Looking toward the youth setup and Ten Hag is happy to promote from within, which could give James Garner a chance at Old Trafford next season.

The midfielder is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest and has shown great maturity for a 21-year-old in central midfield. Not only has Garner delivered 9 attacking returns in the Championship at the time of writing but he has been dictating the play for Nottingham Forest thanks to his passing range.

Playing as a deep-lying playmaker, Ten Hag will not be afraid to give Garner a chance and he could become a key player for Manchester United in midfield next season.