Gary Neville Makes Comparison Between Steve MccLaren And Pep Guardiola Coach

Erik ten Hag's decision to bring Steve McClaren back to Manchester United has been backed by Gary Neville, who compared it to a similar appointment by Pep Guardiola.

Ten Hag arrived to take over at United at the beginning of the week, after deciding to end his time at Ajax early and miss out on their post season tour to the Caribbean.

He's got a lot of work to do, and has asked for a full report about his players, including where they're off to on their holidays, but he's also begun some of it.

First on his agenda were bringing in assistans Mitchell van der Gaag and McClaren, with the latter returning to Old Trafford having been Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant from 1999 to 2001, including helping win the Treble in his first season.

McClaren working at United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Image: PA Images

McClaren's reputation as a manager has taken a hit in the years since he went out on his own from being an assistant, but he has a good reputation as a coach, and Neville believes it's a good signing.

"I think Ten Hag comes as a successful coach, a coach that’s won, a coach that’s got belief and knows how to build an idea," Neville told the club's official website.

"I think he does need someone alongside him on the side of the pitch that can tell him about different stadiums, referees, different things that happen culturally in England around matches.

"Steve McClaren’s got vast experience, not just at Manchester United but obviously in English football."

Ten Hag was actually McClaren's assistant at FC Twente. Image: PA Images

Neville was obviously at United during the former England manager's first spell at the club and he compared McLaren's return to another former assistant at the club.

The former right back said Ten Hag bringing in the 61-year-old was similar to how Pep Guardiola used Brian Kidd at Manchester City.

"I see Steve’s role, to be fair, as more akin to what Brian Kidd did with Pep Guardiola for many years.

"I’ve done quite a lot of City games over the years [for television] and just that little voice that says ‘look Pep, you’re at this ground today, this is what it’s like’ and it’s just that type of advice that ultimately the new manager will need.

"[Erik]’s got Darren Fletcher there as well and there are other people at the club who have experience as well but it does seem like a new beginning, there is a lot of turnover of people, people leaving, a new start.

"I think, off the back of the last 12 months, it’s imperative that happens."

Kidd was at Guardiola's side for much of City's success. Image: PA Images

After sorting out his coaches, Ten Hag next needs to sort out his playing squad for next season, especially with a number of players set to leave this summer.

His priority is a pair of midfielders, with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic headed for the exit door, according to reports on Saturday, N'Golo Kante is amongst the candidates.

That would be slightly ironic, should they sign him from Chelsea, with Pogba departing, just as the man who has played alongside him so successfully for France joins United.