Ten Hag lines Ajax duo up as first Man Utd transfers

Erik ten Hag has reportedly already lined up his first two signings if he becomes Manchester United manager.

The Ajax boss is thought to be the leading contender to take over at Old Trafford having been formally interviewed for the role last week.

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Ten Hag is under contract with the Eredivisie club until 2023, but there’s a get-out clause in the deal he signed a year ago which means United can lure him away for just £2m.

Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has offered him a new deal doubling his current £2m-per-year salary, but but the club are said to be ready for him to leave.

Two other clubs are said to be interested in Ten Hag and have already made serious offers, but United are thought o be leading the race to land the 52-year-old.

Wherever Ten Hag goes, he’s already earmarked two players he wants to take with him from Ajax, according to the Mirror.

Despite being an “idiot”, Ten Hag wants Brazilian winger Antony, who’s scored 12 goals and eight assists this season.

And he also feels 20-year-old centre-back Jurrien Timber will ‘immediately adress United’s defensive problems’.

Timber has already played for the Netherlands and is expected to be part of Louis van Gaal’s World Cup squad.

Ralf Rangnick refused to be drawn on United’s search for a new manager in his press conference on Thursday.

Rangnick said: “I don’t know. I know they have spoken to some people but so far we haven’t spoken about the experience and the impressions they have got from those meetings.”

Asked about what United are planning in terms of transfers this summer, the interim United boss added: “It’s always good if you have money available to sign players but the question is do you sign the right players?

“It’s not only a question of money but a question of what kind of idea do you have behind that? What kind of philosophy? And how do you want to play? It’s not only a question of money.”