ERIK TEN HAG has handed Manchester United’s European scouts a list of more than a dozen young Dutch stars to keep tabs on.
The United manager has made it clear he wants to lower the age profile of his squad over the next 18 months and is focusing on up-and-coming kids in his native Netherlands.
Ten Hag is still keen on his old Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber, 21, who United wanted to sign last summer and have continued to monitor.
There were claims Louis van Gaal advised Timber against moving to Old Trafford at the time – later rubbished by the former United boss.
Yet he remains high on Ten Hag’s hit list, along with another Ajax duo in right-back Devyne Rensch, 19, and 20-year-old central midfielder Kenneth Taylor.
AZ Alkmaar’s Swedish winger Jesper Karlsson and PSV midfielder Joey Veerman, both 24, have also been earmarked as potential signings.
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A United insider said: “The manager is insistent there are gems in Holland and Germany the club should take a greater interest in.
“He feels quite strongly that United can steal a march and the scouts have been told United need to ramp things up in both Holland and Germany.”
So far, Ten Hag has three Dutch players in his senior squad, two of which he signed himself.
The 52-year-old tactician reunited with Donny van de Beek, 25, upon his arrival at Old Trafford last summer following their stint together at Ajax.
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The Dutchman then landed Tyrell Malacia, 23, from Feyenoord during the summer transfer window.
And Ten Hag has just signed Wout Weghorst, 30, on loan from Burnley.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
