As the summer transfer window heats up, Manchester United are once again making headlines with their pursuit of two former Ajax players, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt with manager Erik ten Hag looking to reshape the squad in his image. The interest in these players is no surprise, given their familiarity with United’s manager, Erik ten Hag. But what does this say about the club’s transfer strategy under their new owners, INEOS?
Ten Hag’s Familiar Targets
With Bayern Munich looking to offload some players, Manchester United saw an opportunity. Two former Ajax stars, right-back Noussair Mazraoui and center-back Matthijs de Ligt, have become prime targets for the Red Devils. Mazraoui, who struggled to find a consistent starting role at Bayern, thrived under Ten Hag at Ajax, making over 130 appearances. De Ligt, despite his pedigree as a teenager captaining Ajax, has seen his career stall since leaving Amsterdam. He’s played for five different managers in five years, hindering his development. United see a potential steal in De Ligt, considering his past success under Ten Hag and Bayern’s reported asking price of around £42 million.
Is Ten Hag Dictating Transfer Policy?
This focus on familiar faces has raised eyebrows. Four of Ten Hag’s signings this summer – Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, and Christian Eriksen – have all played under him previously. This trend extends beyond Ajax, with several Eredivisie players and those with connections to Ten Hag’s agency (SEG) also linked to United.
Ten Hag himself has denied dictating transfer policy, claiming in a recent interview that his recommendations haven’t necessarily been the driving force behind these targets. However, the evidence so far suggests he has significant input.
“I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich,” he said. “But believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process”
The Case for Mazraoui and De Ligt
Mazraoui and De Ligt are both talented players who have struggled to nail down a place in the Bayern team. Mazraoui has played 137 times under Ten Hag at Ajax, while De Ligt captained Ajax as a teenager and has played 70 games under Ten Hag. The interest in these players is not just about their talent, but also about their familiarity with Ten Hag’s system and style of play.
The Transfer Strategy Under Ineos
The arrival of Ineos as Manchester United’s new owners promised a shift in transfer strategy. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos’ chairman, emphasized the importance of a proper organizational structure, with the sporting director (Dan Ashworth) overseeing recruitment, not the manager. This structure aimed to ensure the squad would not be solely built around the preferences of a single manager, promoting long-term stability.
While the new ownership promised a fresh approach, United’s current transfer activity suggests Ten Hag still wields significant influence. There is a potential benefit in targeting players who understand Ten Hag’s philosophy. However, relying solely on familiar faces could limit options and hinder long-term squad development. The jury is still out on whether Manchester United has truly broken free from the past or is simply repeating the same pattern.
What do you think about Erik Ten Haag influencing Transfer decisions, do you think signing Mazraoui and De Ligt is the right decision for the club? (Below is the comment Section, we would like to know your view).