De Boer, Ajax legend has endorsed Ten Hag’s managerial credentials and hoped that the Old Trafford hierarchy would give the Dutchman time to work his magic in Manchester.
“I think it depends a little bit on how the board stands behind Ten Hag and what he wants,” he told the BBC.
“I think he will look for what is needed, what is missing, but he needs the backing of the board, that is the most important thing.
“With the World Cup coming up in November, there is not so much time. It’s a challenging job for him.
“I think [United fans] have to be realistic, but in another sense, I think a fan of Manchester United needs that expectation, needs that desire, because they are one of the biggest clubs in the world and they have to aim for the top.
“That is also what Ten Hag wants of course, but sometimes you have to be realistic. They need to have a little bit of patience.”
