Hake: I'm here to help the manager

The 52-year-old has moved to Old Trafford after managing Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie and will bring his knowledge and expertise to the training ground.

After conversations with fellow new man Ruud van Nistelrooy and manager Erik ten Hag, the Dutch trio are on the same page when it comes to ideas and philosophies about the game, and how it should be played, with anticipation continuing to build ahead of the new campaign.

Hake expects the connection and energy from the coaching team will have a positive effect on performance when things get under way.

"It's already been a long journey to be a coach, after all the different types of roles I had in coaching," he told us. "So, from youth teams to assistant coach to manager and, then, an opportunity to work in a club like Manchester United, and to work in the Premier League.

"That's a big challenge for me, to be part of that but, also, to bring my experience here and, in this way, I can contribute to playing better as United.

"For both Ruud and I, I think it is our experience in coaching [that will prove crucial]. Of course, everybody brings specific things but it was nice when we met each other and talked a lot about our philosophy, our way of work.

"When we talked about it, [we realised] we have a lot of connection in that. I think that we can be very strong to help our manager, to bring it to a higher level, with the experience we have and bring that together."

When asked about the decision to leave the manager's role at Go Ahead Eagles to work as a coach with United, Hake was clear on his choice and adamant he will assist Ten Hag in every way possible to achieve success on the field.

"The first question - if you wanted to join - this was a no-brainer in that way," he admitted. "But I already told you I can work at this level. And, of course, I've been managing. So I know what it takes to be in that role.

"So in that way, you can also make your mind up about what he [Ten Hag] is thinking and in that way, I think it can also be easier for us to help the manager to do the right things and to help him to make the best choices in everything we do together.

"Our experience as managers, I think, can help a lot with that, because it's also part of our job to help the other staff members and to find solutions in there to bring that to a good level and, from there on, to continue that to the final decision for the manager."