Erik ten Hag was given full control of Manchester United’s transfer business in his first window in charge of the club and it’s safe to say that the Dutchman’s eye for talent has not disappointed.
Ten Hag earmarked a number of players he was already familiar with and they have strengthened his hand going into the January transfer window.
Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Antony were all players he had worked with before and Tyrell Malacia came from Feyenoord, one of Ajax’s fiercest rivals in the Eredivisie.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was also rumoured to be one of his main targets and now, it’s being reported that he is ready to renew his interest in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Timber was handed his breakthrough at the Amsterdam club by Ten Hag and according to reports, he is now eyeing a reunion at Old Trafford, having failed with a pursuit last summer.
That’s according to The Sun, who say that Timber is one of several players Ten Hag has instructed the club’s scouts to take a closer look at.
In addition to Timber, Ten Hag is reportedly keen on signing another two Ajax players: right-back Devyne Rensch and midfielder Kenneth Taylor.
SN’s verdict…
United already have a transfer team in place and prospective targets are inspected closely before a pursuit is initiated but last summer, it felt like Ten Hag dictated proceedings completely.
The majority, if not all, of the players Ten Hag signed in his first summer have already had a sizeable impact on the side’s trajectory this season.
It’s clear that Timber is a player Ten Hag admires but as things stand, he would not be coming to Old Trafford and become the first-choice player in any position. If he prioritises immediate playing time over everything else, the player may be advised to stay in the Eredivisie.