Erik ten Hag stand-in confirmed for Manchester United manager's touchline ban vs Everton

Mitchel van der Gaag will take charge in the dugout at Goodison Park
Marc Mayo24 November 2023

Erik ten Hag has spoken of his confidence in his Manchester United backroom staff ahead of Sunday's clash with Everton.

The Red Devils manager is banned from the touchline this weekend having accumulated three yellow cards during the Premier League season so far.

That means he is unable to enter the dressing before, during or after the game along with having to watch from the stands - however, he can communicate instructions to his staff.

United's coaching staff will therefore handle matters from the dugout with Ten Hag's assistant Mitchel van der Gaag leading the team.

Van der Gaag, 52, spent his playing career in his native Netherlands during the same era as Ten Hag before beginning his time in the dugout in Portugal.

Mitchell van der Gaag (R) alongside fellow Man United coach Eric Ramsay
Manchester United via Getty Imag

After spells in charge of Maritimo and Belenenses, he moved to Cyprus to coach Ermis before returning home to coach FC Eindhoven, Excelsior and NAC Breda. He first worked with his compatriot as Jong Ajax boss from 2019 before a promotion to become Ten Hag's assistant two years later.

Veteran coach Steve McClaren is another member of the backroom team set to help lead the players along with Eric Ramsay and Benni McCarthy.

Ten Hag has backed his staff to help oversee a victory against Everton, who have just had 10 points deducted, which could help sixth-placed United keep pace with the top four.

"I’m quite confident," he told MUTV.

"I will have an even better view [from the stands], but we have a very good backroom staff. They are very capable and experienced, so they know what to do. That will not affect our game."

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