The manager was speaking to Viaplay following Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to cross-city rivals Manchester City.

Erik ten Hag has committed to playing on the transition rather than adopting a more possession style of play Credit: Getty

Erik ten Hag is under pressure after United’s dismal start to the season continued with defeat in the Manchester derby

In the interview, he confirmed he has no intention of implementing his Ajax style at United.

He was asked directly what many fans had been wondering – “When will you be able to play the same football with Manchester United that you showed with Ajax?”

In response, Ten Hag said: “Never. We will never play that football. Because those were different players. 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.”

Ten Hag was known at Ajax for playing a possession and attacking brand of football and it was long assumed that his intention was to transition United towards that model.

But in July, he outlined that he wanted United to become “the best transition team in world football” – a counter-attacking style of play much more associated with his permanent predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And it’s safe to say that fans on Twitter were not best pleased with Ten Hag’s latest admission.

One fan wrote: “Really disappointing to hear this to be honest, he needs the sack. He first came saying he wasn’t going to sacrifice his style of play and he’s already given up.”

Another added: “Brother, I wanted you because of that Ajax football. if your intention is to do something different then what are we doing here man?”

While a third wrote: “What is Ten Hag’s style of play? I still can’t figure it out.”

Ten Hag’s first two Premier League games last season saw the manager try and implement a style of play closer to what he played at Ajax and it did not go well.

They opened the 2022-23 season with back to back losses against Brighton and Brentford, losing 4-0 to the latter.

United were completely outclassed by Manchester City on Sunday at Old Trafford

Erling Haaland scored twice in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Premier League champions

Since then, the manager has moved closer and closer to a more purely counter-attacking style of play which is leaving fans increasingly frustrated.