Manchester United made a late approach for striker Brian Brobbey earlier this summer, German newspaper BILD reported.
Erik ten Hag worked with Brobbey at Ajax, re-signing him on loan in January after he had left the club for RB Leipzig the previous summer.
Brobbey ended up re-signing with Ajax on a permanent basis this summer, rather than following Ten Hag to Manchester United.
The 20-year-old forward has explained why he chose not to head to Old Trafford.
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Brobbey explains why
Brobbey told Voetbal International that Ten Hag reached out to him personally over a move.
However, he felt he had unfinished business at Ajax and felt a permanent switch back to the Dutch side was right for him.
He said: “I absolutely wanted to go to Ajax. Erik also wanted to work with me, texted once if I was open to it, but I thanked him nicely. I wanted to go back.
“My friends here, Ajax’s playing style, it just wasn’t finished yet. I first have to really succeed here as a striker of Ajax 1.
“That’s also how the past six months felt, when I played here on a rental basis. I really had the feeling afterwards: I really have to go back.”
Brobbey also knew that with Sebastien Haller being sold by Ajax, he would be signing for the club to be first choice striker.
At Manchester United he would have arrived as second or third choice striker, dependent on Ronaldo’s future, and would have had limited game time.
At just 20, Brobbey knows that big moves will come his way in the future if he performs well for Ajax now. Erik ten Hag may even return for him in the years ahead.
He has begun the season well with one goal and two assists in three Eredivisie games.
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