Last month, Manchester United confirmed that Erik ten Hag had been appointed as their new head coach on an initial deal until June 2025, with the Dutchman set to officially take charge of the club at the end of the season.
Man United are not fighting for any silverware this term, but Ten Hag is bidding to lead Ajax to another Eredivisie title, and the 52-year-old is determined to remain professional in the latter stages of the campaign.
Ten Hag has already been involved in key conversations with his new side ahead of the summer transfer window, though, and the 20-time English champions are set to be active in the upcoming market.
Unless something incredible happens, there will be no Champions League football on offer next term, but the Red Devils are in a strong position to secure a spot in the 2022-23 Europa League.
Ten Hag is believed to be interested in raiding his current, soon to be former, club for new signings this summer, with Ajax enjoying another impressive campaign.
Here, Sports Mole picks out three Ajax players that the new Man United head coach could attempt to bring with him to Old Trafford in the upcoming market.
Jurrien Timber
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Jurrien Timber has been a key player for Ajax during the 2021-22 campaign, making 41 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and one assist in the process.
Despite only turning 20 last year, he is already a six-time Netherlands international and has represented his Dutch club on 72 occasions in all competitions, including nine outings in the Champions League.
On a contract until June 2024, Timber is unlikely to cost major money this summer, and the fact that he can play both right-back and centre-back makes him an attractive proposition for the 20-time English champions.
The defender played in all eight of Ajax's Champions League games this term, while he has only missed three league matches in 2021-22, showing remarkable consistency for a player that is still so young.
Timber recently played down suggestions that he could move to Man United this summer, but he would surely find it difficult to turn down the chance to follow Ten Hag to the Premier League giants.
Lisandro Martinez
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Despite signing Raphael Varane from Real Madrid last year, Man United are expected to be in the market for a new centre-back this summer, especially considering Harry Maguire's struggles during the 2021-22 campaign.
Villarreal's Pau Torres continues to be strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but Lisandro Martinez could be an interesting option for the 20-time English champions.
Barcelona have been strongly linked with the Argentina international in recent weeks, and like Timber, he has enjoyed an impressive campaign for Ajax, making 37 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and four assists in the process.
Martinez has three years left to run on his contract in Amsterdam, but it is difficult to imagine his Dutch club turning down a big offer in the current window, and at the age of 24, he could be the perfect signing for a Man United team looking to boost their defensive options.
The South American has made 120 appearances for Ten Hag's team in all competitions since arriving from Argentine football in 2019.
Antony
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Antony has been strongly linked with a move to Man United over the last few weeks, with the Brazil international enjoying an impressive campaign at club level, scoring 12 times and registering 10 assists in 33 appearances.
The 22-year-old has largely featured as a right-sided attacker for his Dutch side this term, which is an area of the field that the Red Devils have struggled to fill in recent years.
A number of other leading European clubs, including Juventus, are being linked with the forward, but he is believed to have a close relationship with Ten Hag, which should place Man United in a strong position.
A recent report claimed that a fee in the region of £50m would be seriously considered by Ajax, which could represent a bargain in the current market, as Antony has strong numbers for a wide player, scoring 22 times and registering 20 assists in 79 outings for his Dutch club since arriving in 2020.
Antony has shown that he can perform on the biggest stage this season, meanwhile, by netting twice and providing four assists in seven Champions League appearances.
Matt Law
