Erik ten Hag has promised to turn Manchester United into a "fighting machine" during his first interview as manager.
The Dutchman, 52, officially became the club's new boss on Monday and is hoping to turn their fortunes around. United could only finish sixth in the Premier League this season, recording their lowest points tally (58) since 1989-90 and finishing 35 points behind champions Manchester City. They also failed to win a trophy for the fifth consecutive year.
Despite this, Ten Hag is confident United can compete next season. He left Ajax to take the Old Trafford job, winning six trophies - including three Eredivisie titles - and reaching a Champions League semi-final during his four-and-a-half-year spell in the Netherlands.
"Always," Ten Hag told United's website when asked if he wants to build a fighting machine. "Everywhere I was in my career, I have high demands on my players. I expect them to fight and give 100 per cent. I already mentioned that only good is good enough.
"No, not only that – we have to do better and they have to co-operate. They have to be unified, to form a team, and to battle the opponent."
Ten Hag also said there was quite a lot of similarities between United and Ajax when it comes to bringing youngsters through the system. That will reassure supporters, as the Red Devils have a number of young players coming through at the moment.
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United have just won the FA Youth Cup, beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the final at Old Trafford. Their youngsters include Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Hannibal Mejbri, Shola Shoretire, Alvaro Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.
Ten Hag has a good track record when it comes to working with youngsters. The Ajax team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019-20 contained the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutchman also believes there are similarities between United and Ajax in terms of a commitment to playing an attacking brand of football - championed under legendary Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson - and a legacy of being successful.
United have won a record 20 English league titles and three European Cups, despite their recent failures. Ajax are one of Europe's most successful clubs, winning a record 36 Dutch league titles and four European Cups.
"Yes," said Ten Hag when asked about the similarities. "Already in your question before, there is a similarity with opponents being highly motivated but also the attacking football. We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams and have to entertain the opponent.
"We are playing in the opponent’s half and we have to do attacking football. We have to do the pressing, the total high-pressing – that is a similarity also – and the adventurous football. Also Ajax has that history of bringing young talents into the first team."
