Erik ten Hag picks out first Man Utd signing after pinpointing problem area in squad
Erik ten Hag wants to sign Tyrell Malacia, a Feyenoord defender dubbed by fans in Holland as a “pitbull.”
After failing to sign the 22-year-old Dutch international left-back to Ajax last summer, the incoming Manchester United boss has sought Malacia.
Malacia, who was born in Rotterdam, is comfortable on the ball, has scorching pace, and a tackle so tenacious that he has become a cult legend at the club he joined as a nine-year-old schoolboy.
On Thursday night, he was watched by a posse of scouts, including representatives from Manchester United and Lyon, as Feyenoord defeated Marseille 3-2 in the first leg of the Europa Conference semi-finals.
Ten Hag was unable to sign Malacia last summer due of Ajax’s fierce rivalry with Feyenoord.
However, a £20 million bid will entice the Dutch club to sell to United after two financially difficult years following the pandemic.
Malacia fits the mold of the type of hungry, youthful player that Ten Hag has a knack for cultivating.
He has recently joined Louis van Gaal’s Holland squad and will compete in the World Cup in Qatar next winter. Ten Hag has already identified full-back positions as a source of contention at his new team.
Malacia will compete with Luke Shaw for a spot on United’s roster. Ten Hag would also like to bring in a new right back to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, when United attempted to hijack Bayern Munich’s bid to recruit Noussair Mazraoui on a free transfer from Ajax this summer, the Dutchman was reminded of how his new club’s pulling power had dwindled.
United are concerned that they will lose Mazraoui after failing to persuade the Moroccan full-back that he can achieve his goals in Manchester rather than Munich.
The 24-year-contract expires in the summer, and United were willing to offer him a more lucrative deal than Bayern.
However, Mazraoui has stated that the prospect of fighting for the Bundesliga title and competing in the Champions League makes the German club a more appealing offer.
United are willing to let go of right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whom they paid Crystal Palace £50 million for three years ago.
The concern is that Wan-Bissaka will not fit Ten Hag’s style, which is largely reliant on full-backs creating play from the back. After being tasked with a huge reconstruction at Old Trafford, Ten Hag is ready to go Dutch in a big way.
Sunday Last month, Mirror Sport learned that he has sought Ajax duo Jurrien Timber and Antony. However, after losing their management, the Amsterdam club is hesitant to do business with United.
When discussing the terms of Ten Hag’s departure, United denied Ajax’s wish to enter into an agreement not to raid the Dutch club for players.
When Ten Hag takes over at Old Trafford, there will be a slew of departures, and he will be given a £100 million-plus transfer budget as well as any money collected in the market.
However, one of the main benefits of selecting Ten Hag is his ability to recognize new potential at a low cost. The United board has already given him the go-ahead to fire any players who fail to conform to his tactics.
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Erik ten Hag picks out first Man Utd signing after pinpointing problem area in squad
