Ten Hag who held his first interview as Manchester United boss on Monday answered more questions about how he is going to change the mentalities of the current players and how they will be playing. The interview was held at the media house of Manchester United.
FRENKIE DE JONG
United are in a chase in signing Frenkie De Jong from Barcelona. The player will like to work with his former boss again at Manchester United but is currently worried about not playing a Champions League football because United did not qualify for it and will be playing Europa League next season. Sources have it that United are willing to pay what Barcelona will ask for to reunite Frenkie De Jong with his former boss Erik ten Hag.
It is no secret that the Red Devils could do with making some major improvements in the center of midfield. The likes of Liverpool and Manchester City have some of the best midfielders in the world, and the Red Devils don’t.
They have been linked with a move for De Jong. The 25-year-old played 59 games under Ten Hag at Ajax and was part of the side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in the 2018/19 campaign. Sport claim that the Red Devils are the team most keen on him but Barcelona want £68m for the Dutchman.
De Jong has just completed his third season at Barcelona with the club failing to deliver for much of his time there. United are in the market for a central midfielder whilst Xavi is in the process of overhauling his squad in Catalunya.
JURRIEN TIMBER
Another player who has worked under Ten Hag before that could go to United is Timber.
There are questions going on about Jurrien Timber and of course Ten Hag is really a fun of the player and will be happy to have him at Manchester United. Already, United are in talks with Ajax over a possible deal if they can have the service of their center back Timber.
According to Ten Hag, “Timber is a great personality and could be a better captain in the future.” Talks with Ajax are currently in a better pool and Timber likes to be in Manchester and has already agreed personal terms with the club. United will have to pay not at least a fee of 35m Euros to Ajax before they can have his services.
Reports have it that his agents are currently in Manchester to hold talks about his move to United. According to United legend Rio Ferdinand “I think the way Ten Hag’s playing, looking at it, it’s like, ‘We’re going to be the team that’s the aggressor, we’re going to be the team that dictates and dominates the games’,” Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel. ‘”So he’s looking to play on the half-way line. He isn’t looking to play in a deep block, so he’s not thinking about [Timber’s height].”
PAU TORRES
Manchester United are weighing up a 50m Euros bid for Pau Torres after they rekindle their interest in the Villarreal stalwart, according to reports in Spain.
Torres who is 25, was on United’s radar last season and as new manager Ten Hag is said to be searching for a new center back who is comfortable in passing the ball from the back. United need additions across the pitch if they are to get on with their new project off the ground and centre-back is one of the major areas of which they conceded 57 goals this season with the futures of Phil Jones and Eric Bailly looks unclear.
Ten Hag wants a centre-back who is really confident with the ball at the feet and believes the 25 year old fits the bill for it. Torres is more open than he was over a move away from Villarreal.
Reports have it that Torres’ agents are travelling to Manchester this week to negotiate a deal with the Red Devils for the 25-year-old to leave Villarreal and move to Old Trafford.
Torres has two years left on his contract and so a decision would soon be due over his future anyway. He has enjoyed a fantastic rise at Villarreal, who capped off by his latest strong showing this season. Indeed, he has made 47 outings including playing every minute of his club’s Champions League campaign.
Source: Frederick Owusu
