Manchester United could select Erik ten Hag as their new manager in the summer after rumors suggested he was “certainly” on his way out of Ajax following the resignation of the club’s director of football affairs Marc Overmars. The former Arsenal winger departed the Dutch club earlier this week after confessing he was “ashamed” of sending indecent messages to female teammates.
Following the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last year, Ten Hag was connected with the top post at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils brought in Ralf Rangnick on a temporary basis, so the 52-year-old stayed.
However, United will be looking for a permanent replacement for Rangnick in the summer and could rekindle their interest in Ten Hag if the Ajax manager leaves his current role.
And Express Sport examines how United would line up under the Dutchman if he relocates to England and signs three players.
De Gea, the goalkeeper
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After years of poor play, David de Gea has returned to form this season.
The Spain international, who was formerly regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, was voted Premier League player of the month for January and is expected to stay in goal under Ten Hag.
Mazraoui, Varane, De Ligt, and Telles play in defense.
Rangnick looks to have abandoned Aaron Wan-Bissaka since his arrival in Manchester, with the right-back appearing only three times under the German.
Diogo Dalot has been favored above the former Crystal Palace star, but if Ten Hag takes over, he may want to sign current Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui.
This season, the 24-year-old Moroccan international has been in superb form, starring as his team won all six of their Champions League group stage matches.
Ten Hag may also try to entice Juventus center-back Matthijs de Ligt to join United.
Before moving to Italy, the 22-year-old was a member of Ten Hag’s Ajax squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018/19 Champions League.
De Ligt will undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to reunite with his former manager in England, and he could line up with Raphael Varane in central defense.
Meanwhile, Brazil international Alex Telles, who recently replaced Luke Shaw at left-back, could keep his place.
De Jong, Fred, and Fernandes play in the midfield.
United’s midfield has struggled this season, but the severely criticized Fred was reportedly recently defended by Rangnick during a meeting with club executives.
So the Brazil international may find himself in the heart of the United team, but he may be offered a new midfield partner if Ten Hag can entice Frenkie de Jong away from Barcelona.
De Jong is another player who played a key role in Ajax’s European success three seasons ago and may be interested in a move to the Premier League.
The 24-year-old is a key player for Barcelona, but the Catalan club is starved for cash and may let him go for the appropriate price.
Bruno Fernandes is set to be the front three’s primary creator in the future.
Sancho, Ronaldo, and Rashford are the forwards.
Jadon Sancho has had a rough start to life at Old Trafford, but United spent a lot of money on him, so Ten Hag would almost certainly try to encourage him to shoot from the wing.
On the opposite wing, Marcus Rashford has demonstrated his abilities in previous seasons and is another player who should benefit from Ten Hag’s presence after an underwhelming season thus far.
The pair may start in a front three alongside the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo, who would be charged with leading the line and scoring goals.
