The three young stars Ten Hag wants to sign for Man Utd
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 17 Apr 2022 16:26 BST
- 3 min read
Erik ten Hag has requested the three players he wishes to sign first upon becoming the new Man Utd manager – and all three are aged 22 or under – according to the Daily Express.
Ten Hag is expected to be announced as Manchester United’s new permanent manager for next season, succeeding current interim head coach Ralf Rangnick.
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The Dutchman, who is currently Ajax manager, has beaten PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino to the post at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has already begun making plans for next season and he has requested three young stars as his first signings.
Antony (Ajax)
The main target is Brazilian forward Antony, who has become a fan favourite at The Johan Cruyff Arena due to his direct, tricky dribbling along with his threat in front of goal.
The 22-year-old usually plays on the right wing and has 12 goal contributions in the league this season in 21 starts.
Having broken into the national team over the past year, the competition for Antony’s signature will be fierce, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Juventus also interested.
Jurrien Timber (Ajax)
The second target is the latest talisman to come out of the Ajax academy, Jurrien Timber. He has already made more than 50 appearances for his side at the tender age of 20.
Timber can play across the defence, however he primarily features at centre-back and has already received six caps from the Netherlands national team, including three at Euro 2020.
A candidate for European Golden Boy, Timber has spoken positively in the past over interest from Manchester City, meaning United will have to act fast to beat their rivals to the punch.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
🏴 | Manchester United are keen to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
📰 | Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/leXWBLHjj3
— The Everton End (@TheEvertonEnd) April 17, 2022
Ten Hag’s third target is a somewhat surprising one in Everton teenager Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 19-year-old has only made six appearances for the Toffees this season, four of them starts.
However, he is highly-rated for the future and Ten Hag believes he can develop him just as he has so many starlets at Ajax.
Branthwaite is a centre-back, standing at a giant 6ft 5in and still growing.
