Guus Hiddink reveals why ETH struggled at MU and a decision his compatriot made

Guus Hiddink has revealed what he considers a crucial mistake Erik ten Hag made during his time at Manchester United.

After an impressive four-year spell in his native country with Ajax, during which the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, Ten Hag was appointed United boss in the summer of 2022.

He was tasked with managing a side that had slipped to sixth in the Premier League last season, leading to interim boss Ralf Rangnick infamously claiming the club needed 'open heart surgery'.

Ten Hag would win silverware in both of his first two seasons at Old Trafford, including beating rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup in May.

However, after a dismal run of results at the start of the current season saw United slump to their worst ever Premier League start, Ten Hag was sacked last month and Ruben Amorim was appointed as his successor.

Speaking about his compatriot's time in England, Hiddink suggested that an over-reliance on 'old acquaintances' may have left Ten Hag isolated.

“Everyone does it in their own way, but I was surprised how many confidants Erik gathered around him,” Hiddink told Voetbal International.

'Then you end up on an island, which makes it more difficult to integrate into the culture of your new club and is viewed with suspicion.

'I always took one assistant abroad with me, with whom I could map out things in the field of football. I therefore opted for local trainers and supervisors. People who knew the club or country well.

'You play a role in how you are assessed. Sometimes approach it with a wink. I mean, we're talking about football, not about war and peace.'

Upon arrival at United Ten Hag, Steve McClaren was joined in the dugout by his former Ajax assistant Mitchell van der Gaag.

Compatriot and United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy also later joined the club's coaching staff, before briefly succeeding Ten Hag on an interim basis after he was sacked.