Erik ten Hag could now sign the first Ajax academy player he handed debut to

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a chance to be reunited with the first Ajax academy player he handed his debut to.

Change could be coming for Manchester United at right-back, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to shake his options up.

Right-back is the one position where Ten Hag has not signed a new player since his arrival in 2022.

Goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, midfield, winger, and striker, have all seen new additions.

At right-back he has Diogo Dalot, signed by Jose Mourinho in 2018, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Manchester United target Noussair Mazraoui

Manchester United have identified Noussair Mazraoui as a target at right-back. Talks are advanced over his signature.

The Guardian report a fee has been agreed with Bayern Munich for Mazraoui’s signature, with a deal dependent on Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s exit.

There is good reason for Erik ten Hag to want to sign Noussair Mazraoui. He has worked with him previously at Ajax.

During his time as Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag handed first team debuts to 23 different academy players.

Noussair Mazraoui was the first player Ten Hag gave a debut to from Ajax’s academy, selecting him in just his third ever game as manager of the Dutch club.

Mazraoui’s debut came in early 2018, when he was just 20. The Moroccan defender is now 26.

This was in a 3-1 win over NAC Breda, with Mazraoui a late substitute. Andre Onana was in the starting side, along with Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van de Beek.

It is no surprise to see Ten Hag pursue Mazraoui, having shown a tendency to target players he has previoulsty worked with.

This was the case at Ajax too, when he signed his former Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller.

Mazaroui record under Erik ten Hag

Noussair Mazraoui played 137 games under Erik ten Hag, more than he has done under any other manager in his career.

He scored 10 goals during these matches and provided nine assists.

Mazraoui won three Eredivisie titles under Ten Hag, and two Dutch Cups. He has since gone on to win the Bundesliga during his first season at Bayern.