Ajax were pure magic on their way to the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals.While, yes, Manchester United fans are well aware of the domestic success that Erik ten Hag has enjoyed in Amsterdam, it's that famous European run that will give them the most confidence.Besides, it's one thing to win the Eredivisie or KNVB Cup and it's another thing to come within seconds of reaching the Champions League final.
Ajax's 2018/19 Champions League run
Ten Hag spearheaded one of the most talented Ajax sides of the 21st century with Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek, Dusan Tadic and more all playing out of their skin.
And although it would all come undone at the Johan Cruijff ArenA courtesy of Lucas Moura's unforgettable hat-trick, Ajax still took plenty of scalps on their way to the final four.
The Dutch giants went unbeaten in the group stages despite competing with Bayern Munich, before overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus in the quarter-finals to set up the Spurs tie.
However, the result that truly set the wheels in motion for Ajax's European odyssey was the round of 16 triumph over Real Madrid, who were looking to win a fourth consecutive Champions League crown.
As we all know, that never came to pass with Ajax ultimately securing a sensational 4-1 win at the Bernabeu, but the signs were already there during the first leg in the Netherlands.
Liverpool 4-0 Man Utd Match Reaction (Football Terrace)
Ajax sucking the life out of Real
While Ten Hag's men might have lost 2-1 due to goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio, you could already tell that Ajax's high intensity and pressing was causing Real serious problems.
And you only have to look at a single one-minute spell from the game, which has been re-shared by BT Sport in light of Ten Hag's United move, to get an idea of what we're talking about.
So, United fans, be sure to get yourself excited about Ten Hag stepping into your technical area by watching how his Ajax side sucked the life out of Real Madrid with high-pressing football down below:
Wowsers. That looks nightmarish to play against.
Exciting times for Man Utd fans
Yes, there are times in the clip when Ajax should kept the ball better than they did, but seeing them cause such problems for world-class players like Casemiro is truly a tantalising sight to behold.
You really get the impression that every single Ajax player was willing to put their bodies on the line to make sure Real didn't get a second to catch their breath and transition into comfortable possession.
And in a style eerily similar to the one pedalled by Ralf Rangnick, you can see Ajax winning the ball as high up the pitch as possible and trying to score in a matter of seconds once they've achieved it.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Real Madrid v Ajax Amsterdam - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 5, 2019 Ajax coach Erik ten Hag reacts REUTERS/Susana Vera
Obviously, there is much more to Ten Hag's game than merely high-pressing with his philosophy actually sharing a lot in common with Pep Guardiola, but the video sends a menacing message nevertheless.
United will be a very different beast under Ten Hag, that's for sure.