Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Erik ten Hag has two transfer priorities as he jets into London to start work at Man Utd

Erik ten Hag, Ajax boss in Dutch cup final loss to PSV Eindhoven

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has arrived in England as he prepares to start his reign at Old Trafford with two positions reportedly an immediate priority for the Dutch boss.

Ten Hag took charge of his final Ajax game at the weekend having already wrapped up the Eredivisie title. The 52-year-old has ended his contract in Holland and will not travel on the club’s end-of-season tour to Curacao.

“A manager’s job is especially focused on the preparations for next season. And there’s a lot of work to be done in that regard,” said Ten Hag on Sunday.

Instead Ten Hag, who met with United officials in Amsterdam last week, has flown by private jet to London. His work has started in earnest after he and his agents joined United officials at their Mayfair office on Wednesday.

United’s new chief was accompanied by Mitchell van der Gaag, who will be confirmed as one of his assistants. While former United Noten hag work to do teamtalk 2 Steve McClaren is also set to join the backroom team.

Meetings with chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough will take place with Ten Hag hammering out exactly his vision for the summer transfer window.

Ten Hag will then travel across London to watch the team in their final game against Crystal Palace. He is expected to be introduced to the squad after the Selhurst Park clash.

But before the final day, Ten Hag will be discussing transfer targets with the Daily Mirror reporting the club’s “spine” will be his focus.

Furthermore, a new centre-back and new central midfielder will be at the top of his wanted list. A new striker is also desirable. But the report claims Manchester United are “focusing all their efforts” on a defender and a midfielder.

 

Ten Hag is said to be plotting a move for Ajax’s £35m-rated defender Jurrien Timber. Talks have taken place, according to the Mirror, but United have also been linked with Manuel Akanji and Jules Kounde.

Ten Hag looking at outgoings 

While Football Insider report United are trying to hijack AC Milan’s move for Sven Botman.

It’s clear Ten Hag is looking for a new starter at the back. Doubts remain over the futures of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

United are also in desperate need of a midfielder with Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata all leaving this summer.

Frenkie de Jong is the name that has been thrown into he ring – another former Ajax man. But De Jong is said to be happy at Barcelona and he will not come cheap with a price tag of around £70m on his head.

Ten Hag is also overseeing United’s outgoings with a number of players expected to move on.

Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has also been heavily linked with Old Trafford. And that may well be one that Ten Hag pursues, but he has other files at the top of his in basket.

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