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FIVE FOR TEN
Five Ajax stars who could follow Erik ten Hag to Man Utd in huge transfer raid including Antony and Gravenberch
ERIK TEN HAG may look close to home for his first signings if he is appointed Manchester United boss.
With a proactive style of play and total football approach, Ten Hag will require individuals that are technically composed and players that show intelligent movement on and off the ball - something lacking in the majority of those currently in the United squad.
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In order for him to have an instant impact and enjoy a smooth transition into the intensity and physicality of the Premier League, it would be ideal for Ten Hag to bring a few individuals from his current club with him to Man Utd, players who understand what he demands and expects from them.
Here are the five Ajax players Ten Hag could bring with him to Old Trafford in the summer if he gets the job…
Antony
Antony has proven to be one of the most exciting players in Europe through his trickery and dribbling ability, where he has shown the quality to take on two to three players without even needing to be at the top of his game.
And into his second full season at Ajax, the Brazil international is showing that he isn’t a one-season wonder, as he has 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term.
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United signed Jadon Sancho thinking he could fill the right-sided hole that's needed addressing for a decade, however, he has shown to be more effective and dominant down the left flank, leaving the club to start their search once again.
Antony is known to play as a touchline winger, where he picks up the ball from the flanks and drives inwards and direct at the opposition, which is the type of player the Red Devils have been missing since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Edson Alvarez
There has been a lot of attention and focus on the growth of Ryan Gravenberch over the last 18 months, but Edson Alvarez is another holding midfielder of Ajax that United could target.
He is regarded as technically better and more aerially dominant than his partner in the double pivot.
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On top of that, his leadership skills, through his vocal instructions and hand gestures, assists his team-mates in what to do next, as opposition teams tend to press with aggression and intensity from time to time.
Alvarez could potentially become the first defensive midfielder the Red Devils have signed since Nemanja Matic, a key position that the board have been avoiding over the last couple of years whilst continuing to buy defenders and attackers.
The 24-year-old could play a crucial role in helping the side by dictating play and nullifying the opponent’s threat on the counter with his ability to read the game.
Lisandro Martinez
United’s defensive issues have been ongoing since the start of the season, where they have conceded 40 goals in 29 league matches, which is more than Liverpool and Manchester City PUT TOGETHER so far this season (38).
Due to the weaknesses within the backline, the board are expected to make some significant changes in the summer, with the Old Trafford club reportedly looking to offload Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly whilst finding an upgrade on Victor Lindelof.
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The Red Devils do not need to look any further than Lisandro Martinez for their centre-back needs, an aggressive and proactive defender who would be the perfect partner for Raphael Varane.
Formerly playing as a holding midfielder, his technical ability and range of passing is not in question, and he has the positional discipline and recovery pace to help defensively.
Noussair Mazraoui
With a number of big-name players available as free agents in the summer, such as Kylian Mbappe, Paulo Dybala and Ousmane Dembele, Noussair Mazraoui has gone under the radar, especially for someone who could make the right-back spot his own for the next five years.
This position is yet to be confidently taken by anyone at United, with Diogo Dalot in and out of the line-up, whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s technical weaknesses have seen him spend a lot of time on the bench.
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Morocco international Mazraoui has shown the signs of a modern full-back over the last couple of years at Ajax, where he provides the attacking quality in the final third and constantly offers to move into the half-space area, to make himself a passing option and to ensure his team continues to maintain possession.
Noting that both Barcelona and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in the right-back, United will have to act quickly to convince Mazraoui to move to Old Trafford.
Ryan Gravenberch
Recently linked with a potential move to Bayern Munich, Ryan Gravenberch is one of the few rising midfielders that will be wanted by many of the top clubs at the end of the season, with agent Mino Raiola looking to have his clients complete big transfer move this summer.
With Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic expected to leave Old Trafford in a couple of months' time, it would make sense for Ten Hag to persuade the 22-year-old to follow him to avoid being left with a lack of quality and depth in midfield.
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Gravenberch plays as a holding midfielder for Ajax, but his physicality and intelligence to play different types of passes at the right time could see him operate as a box-to-box midfielder at United.
He is the perfect type of midfielder to bring composure and control to the midfield, something that is currently missing through Fred and Scott McTominay.
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