Erik ten Hag declares that Manchester United will never play like Ajax under his management

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag has admitted that he will “never” be able to make his team play like his famous Ajax side.

Ten Hag was appointed at Old Trafford in May 2022 and has been handed over £400 million to spend on transfers.

The Dutchman earned a reputation for playing exciting, attacking football with Ajax but has been unable to replicate the same with United.

After the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Jamie Carragher claimed United is playing “underdog football,” relying on “counter-attacks and a lot of long balls.”

Ten Hag has now explained why it would be hard for the Red Devils to play slick football like his former club.

“We will never play that football,” Ten Hag told Viapla.

“Because those were different players,” he explained. “This is also not why I came here. We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to, because I can’t play the same way. The players decide how you play.

“Ajax has a very typical and characteristic style of play, with Manchester United I will always show different football, I did so last year as well. We play much more direct football here because I have the players for that here.”