Man Utd star offers verdict on Erik ten Hag's contract extension and sends revamp warning

Manchester United are looking to bounce back from their worst ever Premier League finish after the club decided to keep faith with Erik ten Hag and the Dutch coach has made some changes

Erik ten Hag has made it his mission to ensure Manchester United bounce straight back from last season's turmoil, according to Tom Heaton.

After being given the green light to continue in charge of United, Ten Hag has revamped his backroom staff, appointing four new coaches in a bid to ensure there is no repeat of last season. United ended last season in eighth position, their worst-ever Premier League finish, something Heaton admitted every member of the squad and staff is determined to show was a one-off.

“We've put good foundations in and then it's about stepping it on,” said Heaton. “Eighth isn't good enough, we know that's not good enough.

“As a football club, we know where we want to get to and it's about bridging that gap from where we are now, but I don't think you can bridge it overnight.

“I don't think the expectation can be here straight away. You've got to incrementally build that. Would changing the manager have helped that? Not in my opinion.

“Things are going on in the background, with the new ownership, everything is getting put together, and it's all starting to look a bit more like that, much better.

“I feel like we've got the foundations to kick on this season - that's how I see it.”

On Ten Hag's revamped coaching staff, Heaton said: “The manager has changed a few of the coaching staff, he's sort of realigned that, but he’s the manager, he's in charge, he's taking us forward.

“There's no more thought about it from the players, because why would there be?

“The club extended his contract, we've got fresh staff here, there's a slightly new direction, that's all it is, really. The rest is down for us to deliver performances.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy is among the new coaches that arrived at Old Trafford this summer. The former United forward has joined Ten Hag's staff having previously held the top job at PSV Eindhoven.

The ex-Premier League poacher has led some training and appears to be focused on getting the club to utilse their wide players. Ten Hag will hope his new addition can inspire an improvement in front of goal after scoring fewer than the rest of the league's top 10 teams last term.

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