Erik ten Hag will hold virtual talks with every Manchester United player individually to assess the squad before his arrival, to get a head-start on captaincy and transfer questions

Ten Hag does not officially take charge at United until June, but the Ajax boss is already assessing the squad he will inherit and is keen to get to know them as quickly as possible. The 52-year-old Dutchman plans to hold individual Zoom meetings with every member of United’s squad, including those players who are out of contract, over the next three weeks.

Ten Hag wants to hit the ground running when he arrives in Manchester and be more familiar with the squad, to allow him to make swift decisions on which players to keep and which to let go. Some of United’s players feel Ten Hag will use the interviews to give him an idea of who is best suited to captain his side, with current skipper Harry Maguire not certain to keep the armband.

A United source said: “Erik is meticulous in his planning. He wants to know where everyone’s at with their mentality and situation at the club and has said he wants to discuss their futures regarding who wants to stay and who wants to go. He wants to give everyone a chance to discuss any issues or problems in private, before he arrives, so he can get a head-start on the summer.”