Three players Erik ten Hag can build the new Manchester United team around

Erik ten Hag becoming manager of Manchester United must go down as one of the worst-kept secrets in the game. The current-Ajax manager’s face had been plastered over news outlets for weeks with all citing that he would or was very likely going to take over at Old Trafford.

While the exciting Dutch manager will bring a lot of expectation, few fans will expect much in the first season or so, although Ten Hag will know that managers in the Premier League are not often given much time.

When Ten Haag takes control next season, he will likely have an impressive transfer war chest to utilise as he looks to rebuild Manchester United.

While there will be players coming and going, Ten Hag will likely be just as concerned with the players he can build his team around. After all, keeping these key players will not require huge transfer fees and they will not require any time to bed in.

Below, leading betting site FreeTips.com has made predictions on the three players that Ten Hag should build his team around, with youth, experience and skill in abundance on show.

Anthony Elanga

This season, when Ralf Rangnick has needed a spark or a moment of magic, he has invariably turned to Anthony Elanga. The winger may have only scored three goals in 19 appearances for United but these goals came at vital times.

Perhaps more important to United is the injection of pace he brings, while he is incredibly keen to take on defenders. Some forwards have become so afraid of losing the ball that they will decide not to attack the opposition player.

For Elanga, the focus is on pushing the defensive line back and creating opportunities for teammates to score, something he is doing well for the English side.

At only 19 years old, Elanga still has a lot of growing to do before he becomes a finished product but with so much talent and the ceiling set very high for the Swedish star, Elanga is a youngster United simply must build around.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho is a player that came to Old Trafford with huge expectations placed upon him and has struggled to really make good on his price tag. Signed for £73 million in the transfer window of 2021, Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund has only seen three goals in 28 appearances.

While the job of a winger is not to score 30 goals per season, many fans would have expected to see him wheeling away in celebration of his own goals far more often this season.

Indeed, his first few matches in the league were characterised by poor decisions on the ball, inaccurate passing and losing possession too often. With Cristiano Ronaldo consistently taking up good positions in and around the box, it should be a priority for Sancho and any United winger to feed one of the game’s greatest-ever players as he will invariably score.

Despite this, the 22-year-old will be a far better player for his struggles. Next year will likely be the season in which Sancho is really judged, although a change in philosophy and tactics from Ten Hag may see Sancho flourish.

Bruno Fernandes

Often much maligned, with some questioning his impact in the biggest games, Bruno Fernandes is a player that has been a revelation at United but any dip in form for the midfielder is invariably met with derision.

However, United is not currently blessed with players that are as good technically as Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who is the benchmark for brilliant midfielders. While few teams have a player of the Belgian’s quality running the show from the middle, it seems counter-intuitive for any fan to question the Portuguese player as he is the most technically gifted of United’s midfield.

Building a team around Fernandes will likely hinge on whether he can become more consistent in the big games and stand up when he is needed most.

It should be mentioned though that Fernandes is a player that has excelled for United, scoring 35 goals and registering 25 assists in 82 league games. With United struggling to get going in the league or Europe in recent years, Fernandes’ ability to score and assist is incredibly impressive, and he is a player that United should definitely build around.