Manchester United’s £75m striker target spoiled Ten Hag’s Ajax farewell

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Erik ten Hag could call upon his Ajax experience once again with Manchester United now interested in snapping up striker Lois Openda.

Some may argue that Erik ten Hag is having a little too much influence on United’s transfer business.

Yes, the manager needs to be on board with recruitment, but United may be left with a lot of Ten Hag picks if a managerial change comes.

Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat were brought in over the summer having previously worked under Ten Hag in the Netherlands.

Even Mason Mount was a Ten Hag pick having been on his radar ever since shining for Vitesse against his Ajax side in 2018.

Lois Openda dazzled in Ten Hag’s final Ajax game

There are some parallels between that Mount situation and the latest United transfer rumour.

The Mirror report that United have been scouting RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda in action, watching him score a brace against Manchester City last month.

Openda is now believed to be a ‘serious target’ for United – even with RB Leipzig now demanding around £75million for his signature.

What’s interesting is that Ten Hag’s final game in charge of Ajax before taking the United job saw Openda score twice.

The Belgian was on loan with Vitesse at the time, just like Mount four years earlier, and scored two close-range goals in just four minutes against Ten Hag’s Ajax.

Ajax could only draw 2-2 with Openda proving to be a real thorn in the side with his predatory instincts.

Ten Hag would have wanted to sign off his Ajax reign with a win, but Openda certainly spoiled those plans with a fine brace.

This was an emotional goodbye for Ten Hag as he headed for Manchester, but Openda’s Vitesse display may well have lasted in his memory – just like Mount.

Openda could be the most exciting Ten Hag pick yet

Onana, Amrabat, Antony and Lisandro Martinez were all Ten Hag picks having featured under him before, but Openda may be the most exciting yet.

The 23-year-old has smashed 10 goals in just 14 Bundesliga games since joining RB Leipzig from Lens over the summer.

Openda has shown his pace to terrorise defences in behind with both of his goals against Manchester City coming in that way.

Eredivisie, Ligue 1, Bundesliga – Openda just keeps scoring and keeps taking these next steps in his career without much fuss.

Old Trafford could be next for Openda and we would love to see him support Rasmus Hojlund in United’s attacking ranks – even if we have concerns about allowing too many Ten Hag picks.

United need a more cohesive transfer policy moving forward, but we can see Openda being the kind of player to make a long-lasting impact regardless of who the manager may be.