5 players Erik ten Hag improved at Man Utd: Dalot, De Gea, Rashford…

Erik ten Hag has had a productive start to his tenure at Manchester United and his impact can already be seen in a number of revitalized players at Old Trafford.

In particular, Ten Hag improved many players who were at the club before his arrival, turning them into real contenders for Champions League qualification.

He has also been shrewd in his recruitment, bringing in charismatic players who can lift the rest of the squad and who will blend on the pitch with the squad already assembled by the former Ajax coach.

Here are five players who have already improved under Ten Hag.

Dalot has been United's first-choice right-back since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left as head coach last November, starting all 17 of his side's appearances this season, scoring once and providing two assists decisive in the process.

And his development accelerated under Ten Hag with a number of confident defensive performances that left Aaron Wan-Bissaka picking up cobwebs on the substitutes' bench.

The United boss has asked Dalot to continue his progress after his man of the match performance against West Ham last weekend.

"I hope he continues to improve, so not just at this level," said Ten Hag. “Our approach, our philosophy is that good is not good enough. We have to do better,” Ten Hag told reporters.

"We're happy with the development and performance of Diogo so that's pretty clear.

"It's heavy when you have to play every game, but physically he has a very good profile and I'm sure he will continue and continue to develop. That's what we demand and I'm sure he will."

Rashford, like many of his team-mates, endured a dreadful campaign under Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season.

Still, the 25-year-old bounced back by scoring seven goals in his first 15 games, fueling calls for his inclusion in England's World Cup squad.

His brace against Arsenal in September was Rashford at his best, with his speed and trickery causing untold problems for the Premier League leaders as he netted a game-winning header against West Ham.

"I think he already is," Ten Hag said when asked if Rashford is becoming an elite player. "Before you turn 25, score 100 goals, I think you're already there, but he won't be happy with that.

"At the end of the day it's about how many trophies you win with your club and I think they can still develop their game."

The striker has recovered from horrible form and looks like another player under Ten Hag.

After a difficult start to the season, De Gea began to flourish under Ten Hag and produced a series of stunning saves in the recent win over West Ham.

"So everyone has their own opinion and their own philosophy," Ten Hag said after the 1-0 win. "For me, for a goalkeeper you have to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede any goals. In that he is magnificent.

"On the feet, for me, he also has the ability. I think when you see this season, he is improving from game to game on this part. And it's not just about the goalkeeper.

"It also has to do with who's in front, how you give the keeper the options to pass, because when they're not running free, or in bad times, or in bad positions, then they doesn't have the options to pass around.

"But I'm confident he can do it and I think the games so far prove that. I think he will improve game by game on this part."

He will enjoy a break this winter after being left out of Spain's World Cup squad and Ten Hag will be keen to oversee his continued improvement.

READ: Ranking Man Utd's 23 Premier League goalkeepers from worst to best

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