Three Ajax players Man Utd could sign after WORST EVER Eredivisie start

Cameron Smith

Updated: 29 Oct 2023 16:37 GMT
4 min read

In 2019, Erik ten Hag guided Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in one of the most memorable knockout runs in recent history.

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They beat Juventus and Real Madrid on their way to the last-four before losing to Tottenham Hotspur courtesy of a memorable late hat-trick from Lucas Moura.

Four years later, they are currently bottom of the Eredivisie with just five points from their opening eight matches.

Most teams in the league have played 10 games, so Ajax do have games in hand, but it’s still a sorry state of affairs for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

After a 4-3 loss to FC Utrecht on October 23, Maurice Steijn was sacked as Ajax boss, and they are yet to officially appoint a replacement.

Former Ajax midfielder Hedwiges Maduro is acting as the club’s caretaker boss and was in charge for their 2-0 defeat versus Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday and their 5-2 loss against PSV on Sunday.

That result away to PSV has left Ajax rock bottom of the Eredivisie, while they are also bottom of Group B in the Europa League.

John van‘t Schip is the current favourite to become the next Ajax manager, but he will have a huge job on his hands to resurrect their campaign.

© ProShots - Erik ten Hag left Ajax in 2022

With Ajax almost guaranteed to miss out on European football next season, and relegation not out of the question, many of their stars could well leave in 2024.

Given Manchester United’s recent signings of Lisandro Martinez and Antony, Ten Hag could quite possibly dip into Ajax’s squad once again.

If he does, which players could become the latest to move from Ajax to Old Trafford?

Jorrel Hato

Jorrel Hato is widely recognised as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders and he has become a regular at Ajax at the age of just 17.

He has the potential to be a future star and given he is left-footed, Hato would be a perfect replacement for Martinez when the Argentine is injured, something that has regularly happened since his arrival.

Brian Brobbey

Rasmus Hojlund is clearly seen as Man Utd’s long-term number nine prospect - hence the €75 million spent on the Dane this summer - but a back-up option is still needed.

Anthony Martial is out of contract in 2024 and he is currently the only other senior striker in Ten Hag’s squad. Therefore, Brian Brobbey could be a shrewd signing for the Red Devils.

Man Utd have been linked with a move previously and Brobbey is Ajax’s joint top goal-scorer this season, with three goals in eight league matches.

Branco van den Boomen

Christian Eriksen is beginning to age and Mason Mount doesn’t seem to work particularly well with Bruno Fernandes. As a result, a new number eight option could be needed in 2024.

28-year-old Branco van den Boomen fits that profile perfectly. He has netted two goals since joining Ajax this summer, but his best form certainly came for Toulouse last season.

He scored five goals and provided eight assists in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaign and his set-piece delivery is excellent; no player created more chances from set play (45) or completed more crosses (86) than Van den Boomen in the French top flight last year.