Because you’re worth it!
BOSS TEN HAG WON’T JUST TARGET TROPHIES, HE’LL WANT HIS SUPERSTARS TO BE HUGE VALUE IN TRANSFER MARKET
ERIK TEN HAG is out to improve Manchester United’s young stars and turn their potential into trophies – and hard cash.
The 52-year-old Dutch coach is determined to put his own stamp on United by raiding the transfer market to recruit new players this summer.
But he is also adamant he can improve youngsters such as Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Scott Mctominay and Anthony Elanga – just like he did at Ajax.
Ten Hag bids farewell to the Dutch champions in their final Eredivisie game of the season at Vitesse Arnhem today.
And he wants to recreate the Ajax model – by increasing players’ value through the intensive individual programmes he employed in Holland.
He said: “A lot of clubs are looking at the top players now at Ajax.
“If they cannot be kept, they will generate a lot of money for Ajax.
”There is massive interest in players like Ryan Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber, Brazilian forward Antony and Sebastien Haller.
“We have created a team again that is not only top class in a sporting way, but also economically big value.
“There is a massive amount of capital on the pitch. Ajax will sell players for at least another 100million Euros this summer.’’
Gravenberch, 19, looks to be heading to Bayern Munich, while central defender Timber and striker Antony were both targets for United even before Ten Hag was appointed as the Old Trafford club’s new manager.
Ten Hag oversaw the development of some of the best young stars Ajax have produced in recent years – with the club banking a hefty £372m when they were sold.
The list includes midfielder Frenkie de Jong and defender Matthijs de Ligt, sold for £77m each in 2019 to Barcelona and Juventus respectively.
Ten Hag also polished Hakim Ziyech into a dangerous winger, with Chelsea paying £36m for the Moroccan in 2020, before
selling Donny van de Beek in a £35m deal to United later the same summer. Ajax were so impressed by Ten Hag during his four-and-a-half year stay, chief executive and former Old Trafford keeper Edwin van der Sar hopes he returns to Amsterdam in time.
Van der Sar said: “The best thing I can say now is that Erik is walking out through the front door at Ajax.
“I wish him all the luck he needs at Manchester United and I actually hope to see him again here one day.’’
However, Ten Hag’s departure has not been without controversy, with the coach raising eyebrows after dedicating the Dutch title triumph to disgraced former director of football Marc Overmars.
“This title is very much Marc’s title,” said Ten Hag. “We have built this team together and together we have changed the culture of the club.
“I am happy for Marc that we have won this championship in the Netherlands and I will always stay in touch with him.’’
Ten Hag’s words were received with mixed feelings, with Overmars forced to resign after inappropriate messages to a number of female colleagues.