When it comes to the art of winning silverware, few have been better at it in recent years that Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman, who is amongst the current frontrunners to become Manchester United's next manager, has won five trophies since taking charge at the Johan Cruyff Arena in 2017, including two Eredivisie titles in the space of three seasons. He also guided the club to within seconds of the 2019 Champions League final, only to be denied by Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Moura's left boot.

Ten Hag, off the back of those achievements, has built up a portfolio good enough to put himself in the shop window for jobs at some of Europe's biggest clubs, including United, who are hoping to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent successor in the not too distant future.

Although Ten Hag faces strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the Old Trafford post, there has been a growing clamour from United's supporters for the board to choose Ten Hag, pointing to the success he has enjoyed in the last few years.

Although we're not quite at the halfway stage of February, Ten Hag is threatening to add more success to his CV this season; Ajax are currently sat at the top of theEredivisie table, five points clear of PSV Eindhoven, after winning 16 of their opening 21 games, conceding just five goals all season. That is a remarkable achievement and it is a testament to how well-drilled Ten Hag's players are.

At this point, you might be saying to yourself that the Premier League is a cut above the Eredivisie in terms of quality, both collectively and individually. You are probably right on that score, but you cannot discredit Ten Hag and Ajax for the wonders they have worked in the Champions League this season.

Joined in Group C by Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas, Ajax made light work of all of them, winning all six of their group games, scoring 22 goals and conceding just five. Perhaps even more impressively, over the two group showdowns with German giants Dortmund, Ajax beat them by an aggregate score of 7-1.