Louis van Gaal once described Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech as a "special player" amid Erik ten Hag's interest in bringing him to Manchester United.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag, who will be looking to record his first victory as United manager when his side travels to Brentford on Saturday evening, is keen on being reunited with the Morocco international at Old Trafford. The Dutchman is determined to strengthen his attacking options before the window closes and a new wide player is high on the agenda.
Ziyech worked with Ten Hag at Ajax before leaving the Dutch heavyweights to join Chelsea two years ago. Despite joining the Blues for just north of £33million, the 29-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations, scoring just 14 goals and grabbing 10 assists in 84 appearances.
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United's hierarchy have met Ten Hag's interest in Ziyech with resistance, despite being prepared to back him this summer over his preferred targets. He has often struggled to live up to expectations in England and was left on the bench for Chelsea's Premier League opener at Everton last weekend.
At Ajax, however, the versatile attacker, who can play through the middle or out wide, was often excellent, playing a key role in helping them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2018/19. He was often hailed for his performances and heroics, and deservedly so.
Ziyech also attracted praise from former United manager Van Gaal, who spoke glowingly of him ahead of his move to Chelsea. He described how his improvements as a team player were particularly striking.
"He has developed tremendously at Ajax," Van Gaal, told NOS, speaking back in May 2020. "Not so much in creativity, but as a team player.
"The public has come to realise that he works very hard for a creative player. And then he also scores goals and gives assists. That makes you a special player."
Ziyech scored just shy of 50 goals and grabbed 80 assists in 164 games for Ajax, highlighting how much more of an impact he had in the Netherlands when compared to his time in England so far. The attacker is under contract at Stamford Bridge until May 2025 and will be hoping to secure his first minutes of the season when Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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