Erik ten Hag has reportedly instructed Manchester United’s scouts to watch 12 players from his homeland, as per The Sun.
Since taking the reins at Old Trafford, the 52-year-old has been keen to utilise his knowledge of Dutch football.
The majority of United’s transfer business under the former Ajax manager so far has been centred around players who have a connection to the Netherlands.
Tyrell Malacia, who played against Ten Hag’s Ajax was signed from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord, while Lisandro Martinez and Antony followed Ten Hag to Old Trafford from Amsterdam.
Christian Eriksen, who trained with Ten Hag’s Ajax prior to his move to Brentford, joined United as a free agent following the expiry of his short-term contract with the Bees.
Wout Weghorst, a 19-time Netherlands international, has joined United on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign from Burnley and he’s faced off against teams previously managed by Ten Hag nine times during his career.
Casemiro, Martin Dubravka and Jack Butland are the only players to have signed for the twenty-time league champions not to have a Dutch connection.
Erik ten Hag instructs Manchester United scouts to watch 12 players from the Netherlands
The report from The Sun states: “[Ten Hag] has made it clear he wants to lower the age profile of his squad over the next 18 months and is focusing on up-and-coming kids in his native Netherlands.”
Jurrien Timber, who Ten Hag managed at Ajax, remains on Ten Hag’s radar after United’s failed pursuit last summer.
Nineteen-year-old right-back Devyne Rensch and 20-year-old central midfielder Kenneth Taylor, both of Ajax, also reportedly sit high on Ten Hag’s wish list.
AZ Alkmaar’s Swedish winger Jesper Karlsson and PSV midfielder Joey Veerman, both 24, have also been identified as potential signings.
The other seven players who form the dozen names that Ten Hag has instructed the club’s scouts to monitor were not named.
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