Erik ten Hag has a massive rebuilding job on his hands at Manchester United – and he may well look to the Eredivisie when making new signings in the summer.
Ten Hag, who is currently in charge of Ajax, has spent the majority of his coaching career in the Netherlands and has an extensive knowledge of players in the Eredivisie.
While United are reportedly wary of signing Eredivisie-based players due to the struggles of Memphis Depay and Donny van de Beek, the manager will have the final say on any transfers.
We've taken a look at five Eredivisie players that Ten Hag could try and bring to Old Trafford in the summer. Note: we've not included Ryan Gravenberch or Noussair Mazraoui, who have been linked with United but look set to join Bayern Munich on free transfers.
Despite giving Borussia Dortmund £73million for Jadon Sancho last summer, United are still looking for the solution to their right-wing problem.
Alongside Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, Sancho's best performances in a United shirt have come from the left flank.
Ten Hag reportedly wants to fill United's right-wing void with Antony, who has spent the last two seasons at Ajax and is valued at around £50million.
The 22-year-old Brazil international has been in brilliant form for Ajax throughout 2021-22, registering 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
He would likely be a fan favourite at Old Trafford owing to his excellent dribbling ability and could help United unlock Premier League defences.
“We all miss him,” Ten Hag said in April 2022 after Antony spent a few weeks on the sidelines. “Without Antony, it is all a bit less fast and dynamic on the right, which also makes it more difficult for the team. Then the spaces become a lot smaller.”
Cody Gakpo
Ten Hag and Gakpo have been on opposing sides for the last four years but that could be about to change.
Gakpo made his senior PSV Eindhoven debut in 2018 and has since developed into one of the most exciting and dangerous forwards in Europe.
The Netherlands international can play as a centre-forward but mainly operates as a winger and would give United another goal threat from out wide.
He's currently enjoying his best-ever season on an individual level and has registered 34 direct goal contributions, including the winner against Ten Hag's Ajax in the KNVB Cup final.
“You have to defend much better, you can never let Gakpo come in, that's where his qualities lie,” Ten Hag said after the game. “There are two people standing by, you have to keep him on the left.”
But Ten Hag will have to act quickly if he wants to bring Gakpo to Old Trafford as the 22-year-old has also been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Jurrien Timber
The second Ajax player to feature on this list, Timber has thrived under Ten Hag's leadership and could follow the manager to Old Trafford.
“Ten Hag has been very important to me personally,” the 20-year-old said recently. “Under him, I became the footballer, the man I am today. The coach talked to me a lot. He's been very critical, in a good, constructive way. I won't forget that anytime soon.”
He's regarded as one of Europe's most sought-after defenders and has enjoyed a brilliant season at Ajax, registering 25 clean sheets in 41 appearances across all competitions in 2021-22.
The centre-back, who can also cover at right-back, has been compared to fellow Ajax academy graduate Matthijs de Ligt and is renowned for his ability on the ball.
United have conceded 52 goals in 36 Premier League games this season but Ten Hag reportedly believes that Timber can fix their defensive concerns.
The Netherlands international could be signed as a direct replacement for Harry Maguire, who has been heavily criticised for his poor performances in recent months.
READ: Jurrien Timber is the answer to Man Utd's prayers at CB… and RB… and CM
Tyrell Malacia
While Luke Shaw enjoyed a brilliant 2020-21 at club and international level, his form has dropped off significantly this season.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ten Hag believes that left-back is another problem area for United and has identified Feyenoord's Tyrell Malacia.
Ten Hag tried to bring the 22-year-old to Ajax last summer but Feyenoord resisted the move because of the rivalry between the two sides.
Malacia likes to drive forward with his blistering pace and provide an attacking outlet, but he is also renowned for his tenacious defending.
“Every winger will have a headache the night before playing against Malacia,” former Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said. “He is quick, agile and [has] a great work ethic.”
United reportedly sent scouts to watch the left-back during Feyenoord's recent 3-2 victory over Marseille and they could be able to sign him for a fee in the region of £20million.
Ibrahim Sangare
With Nemanja Matic set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, United are in desperate need of a new central defensive midfielder.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Declan Rice but West Ham's £150million asking price will be a major stumbling block.
United may have to look for cheaper alternatives and would only need to spend around £30million to sign Sangare from PSV Eindhoven.
The Ivory Coast international, who is reportedly attracting interest from Leicester City, has been one of PSV's best and most consistent performers in 2021-22.
He helps shield their defence and has averaged 3.5 tackles and 2.6 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Eredivisie this season.
Comcmyz
0
check in the Premier League, there are lots of good players there. Rubin Nerves from Wolves, Richarlison and Calvert Lewern from Everton and lots more are all good players that you can get them.
potabeknry
0
Get me midfielders, and defenders and just one striker and I will restore united…. No matter how good an attacker is, poor midfield displays and loss of possession in key places will make him look subpar. Dispose the deadwoods and get real players: Mata, Matic, Perriera, Fred,Maguire, Pogba, Lindelof.. WanBisaka and Dalot, 1 person needs to be swapped with a solid Wing back that can deliver the cross, for God’s sake we have the best header in the world.. The same goes for Telles and Shaw, one person must be sold or swapped…. I need just a solid back, 1 or 2 wing backs, 1 defensive midfielder, loads of CM, BBM, maybe 2 at least, they could be loaned players…I want Van da beek back..Bruno is good but I will bench him without remorse if he starts the useless passes… Attacking wise, if you have good midfielders even the worst striker seems like world best… I will give Sancho, Elanga, Ronaldo a chance…I will get Amad and Pellistri back and I will ultimately get a good striker eg Latauro, I will get me Raphinha who is so cheap now, I will trade Rashford and Martial….If we can get Dembele, that would be great…. We need a strong consistent first team and subs esp for midfield and defence and then give youngsters opportunity to thrive…. I cannot being in Garner when I’m losing, but I can allow him to free style when I’m winning comfortably…..That way I won’t have so much pressure on them…. Pressure killed Rashford, that would have been England’s best player in the next decade but now he looks so weak and toothless…
The deadwood in United is alarming. Players like Jones have been in the squad and more competent hands such as Smalling and Evans were sold off. Mata, Matic, Perreira, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Telles, Grant, Cavani, Jones, Baily were all collecting semi-retirement allowances week in, week out. Without all due respect, Solksjaer was too nice and weak to decongest the team of players not up to the required standard. This cost him his job.
potabeknry
4
Reading this post says it all. Get these players on the cheap - Sangare(30m), Malacia(20m), Timber (20m), Antony(50m). This will be money well spent on young, vibrant and upcoming players. United should remember to offload Anthony Martial. He’s another sulking virus that needs to leave Old Trafford. Swap Telles for Malacia. Swap Jones for Timber. Swap Martial for Antony. Swap Perreira for Sangare. Mission accomplished.
Buezeman41
4
Get me midfielders, and defenders and just one striker and I will restore united…. No matter how good an attacker is, poor midfield displays and loss of possession in key places will make him look subpar. Dispose the deadwoods and get real players: Mata, Matic, Perriera, Fred,Maguire, Pogba, Lindelof.. WanBisaka and Dalot, 1 person needs to be swapped with a solid Wing back that can deliver the cross, for God’s sake we have the best header in the world.. The same goes for Telles and Shaw, one person must be sold or swapped…. I need just a solid back, 1 or 2 wing backs, 1 defensive midfielder, loads of CM, BBM, maybe 2 at least, they could be loaned players…I want Van da beek back..Bruno is good but I will bench him without remorse if he starts the useless passes… Attacking wise, if you have good midfielders even the worst striker seems like world best… I will give Sancho, Elanga, Ronaldo a chance…I will get Amad and Pellistri back and I will ultimately get a good striker eg Latauro, I will get me Raphinha who is so cheap now, I will trade Rashford and Martial….If we can get Dembele, that would be great…. We need a strong consistent first team and subs esp for midfield and defence and then give youngsters opportunity to thrive…. I cannot being in Garner when I’m losing, but I can allow him to free style when I’m winning comfortably…..That way I won’t have so much pressure on them…. Pressure killed Rashford, that would have been England’s best player in the next decade but now he looks so weak and toothless…
viabdlmnz
1
there you go again. inferior Dutch players
NingPipSter
1
I would like to see Anthony to m.united
NingPipSter
0
before man united+inter.. next season man united+ajax
bittersweet47
0
With AF, I feel like Erik ten Hag is bringing all Ajax players a to Man United
yeah .. hahahaha .
Cjaysports
1
Are they trying to build Holland United?
As long as it pays off no issues
imbabu
3
Hakimi should be signed
DonartusMuhewa
6
With AF, I feel like Erik ten Hag is bringing all Ajax players a to Man United
Zeybikmst
2
All Ajax players are technically excellent!
gm11
0
Well tbh all ajax players are better than anyone we have 6th place isn't good ole has less experience and finished 2nd 😂
gm11
1
Anthony, Coman or Raphina should be the only wingers we are looking at for next season.
logannasti
2
we need Antony and timber
JoeRock
5
Are they trying to build Holland United?
NelsonRF
6
yonkmoprsz
4
Koeman tried to transform barca to Netherlands FC but failed; Xavi took over and made them Spain FC. Ole' tempted to make utd England FC but failed, now Ten Hag is taking over to make them Netherlands FC, is he going to succeed?
jukekmoptu
2
both of them plis
jukeklmrs
4
Anthony is better
Saintcollinz
2
Anthony please