Erik ten Hag is on the verge of becoming Manchester United 's new permanent manager.
The Red Devils are currently in the process of finalising the Ajax boss' appointment after club officials held multiple meetings with Ten Hag and identified him as their priority candidate. Although we'll have to await confirmation regarding the acclaimed coach's arrival, the wheels can start turning at Old Trafford ahead of a seismic summer transfer window.
It's been reported by the Independent that alongside putting together a 'comprehensive dossier' of the Red Devils' first-team squad, Ten Hag has already listed a number of targets to help solve their long-running issues. They include some of the players whom he currently manages in Amsterdam, as the 52-year-old's team sit top of the Eredivisie table by four points with just six games to go.
While Ten Hag is set to be given a war chest of funds to pull off plenty of mega-money signings, the Dutchman may need to look no further than his soon-to-be former club in order to kickstart his reign in Manchester. With that in mind, Mirror Football has picked out four players that Ten Hag could sign as United's new manager.
Jurrien Timber
Think you've seen cool centre-backs? Think again. Over the past two seasons, Jurrien Timber has emerged as one of Europe's most sought-after defenders, oozing confidence on the ball and making himself a staple of Ajax's back line by the tender age of 20. A product of the club's famous academy, Timber has made 68 senior appearances for the Amsterdam giants and even chipped in with four goals.
Also able to competently operate at right-back, Mirror Football understands that Ten Hag views the the six-capped Netherlands international as someone who could immediately remedy the Red Devils' defensive issues, with concerns over the long-term suitability of both Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The defensive duo cost United a whopping £130million in the summer of 2019, just as Timber was breaking through at Ajax. Valued by Transfermarkt at an eye-watering £103m less than that aforementioned figure, going in for the youngster seems like a sensible bit of business. However, what could put the Red Devils off is Timber's stature, standing at only 5ft 10in. But with time to grow and the modern game becoming increasingly reliant on possession over physicality, he's certainly got a chance in the Premier League.
Antony
Another man that we understand Ten Hag has shortlisted is Antony Matheus dos Santos, known as Antony. An archetypal samba star, the Brazilian has recently burst onto the international scene following his move from Sao Paulo in June 2020. With 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances this season, the 22-year-old is staking a strong claim to be the most exciting young winger on the continent.
Antony harbours the raw speed and bravery on the ball to terrorise full-backs, while also possessing a fiery nature which makes him even more dangerous - sometimes to his own team. Back in March, the wide forward scored an 86th-minute winner for Ajax in a derby clash with Feyenoord to seemingly make himself a hero.
However, his celebration saw him booked for taking his shirt off and he'd be handed a second yellow card just eight minutes later for time wasting. Rolling around in agony after colliding with an opposition player, Antony fell back to the ground after captain Dusan Tadic picked him up which resulted in him being sent for an early bath. But despite his theatrics, a pragmatic Ten Hag offered him support.
"[He was] unnecessarily [sent off], he still has to learn," his boss explained post-match. "But I am also happy to have players with temperament. You need them. He is still young and don't forget that he got an incredible goal." And it appears that Antony is just as big of a fan of Ten Hag.
"Every player under his guidance becomes a better footballer through his training," he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "Since my arrival, he has given me a lot of confidence and believed in what I can do. I am grateful to him for that. I respect him very much."
What boosts Antony's chances of a move is that United are desperate for an out-an-out right winger, with Jadon Sancho failing to fill the void following his £73million move last summer. Last signing a true right-winger when Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid 13 years ago in the form of Antonio Valencia, maybe Antony can one day be the next No.7 - but it might set the Glazer family back more than £50m.
Edson Alvarez
Speaking of problem positions, the Red Devils' priority this summer should be to sign a defensive midfielder. Unable to control games on a consistent basis since Michael Carrick aged out, United's haphazard midfield combinations continue let them down when it counts. While they aren't lacking when it comes to technically-gifted players, a destroyer-like midfielder would hugely benefit Ten Hag and co, someone who can act as an enforcer and protect the back four.
Luckily for the incoming manager, Edson Alvarez is just that. Usually deployed as the deepest-lying midfielder, the 24-year-old already boasts an incredible 56 caps for Mexico, recently helping them reach the World Cup finals. Adept at winning duels both in the air and on the ground, Alvarez's knack for snuffing out danger is exactly the kind of skill the Red Devils require.
Second in the squad to only Lisandro Martinez, Ajax's Argentine centre-back, for interceptions, what makes him a well-rounded midfielder is his capability on the ball; averaging one dribble per Eredivisie match and boasting a pass completion rate of 86.3% which rises to 93.29% in the Champions League. Definitely fitting the profile when it comes to what United lack, he's only valued at £18million, a potential bargain.
Ryan Gravenberch
When it comes to complete midfielders, look no further than Ryan Gravenberch. Although the box-to-box talent may be Bayern Munich bound according to reports, there's still a chance that the Red Devils could swoop in and use Ten Hag to help prise him across the English channel.
Still a teenager, the 19-year-old is one game away from his 100th in Ajax colours and has proven himself to be mature beyond his years in both the Eredivisie and Champions League. Blessed with the intelligence and physical attributes to dominate the centre of the park, Gravenberch is arguably Ten Hag's most talented prospect in an array of them at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
What makes him so attainable, though, is the fact his contract expires in less than 15 months' time, with Ajax under pressure to sell him now rather than lose him for free next summer. As super agent Mino Raiola scours the globe to find his client the best deal, links to Bayern have been doing the rounds for a number of weeks and Gravenberch has even responded.
Join the debate! Which Ajax star should Man Utd sign first? Give us your pick here.
"The contract negotiations have now been stopped," the starlet told NOS, via Goal. "I just have one more year of contract now and that's it, really. We'll see. My father and agent are very busy with [handling other clubs] while I focus on football.
"Of course [I've seen the Bayern interest]. You can read it everywhere, so there is interest from Bayern, but I think there are several clubs. I have no idea [what I'm worth], I have no idea. But if you're worth €25million (Bayern's reported bid), you can be proud because it's a lot of money, of course."
It certainly is to the average Joe, but Gravenberch has got all the ability to make the investment worth it for one of the world's biggest clubs.
