Erik ten Hag must convince Ineos of Manchester United transfer plan amid £40million striker hunt

It's not what you know but who know.

The old adage fits the Erik ten Hag transfer narrative nicely. The Manchester United manager has repeatedly looked the familiar when swooping for signings.

Andre Onana, Antony and Lisandro Martinez arrived from his former club Ajax, Mason Mount joined after convincing Ten Hag of his ability while on loan in the Netherlands early in his career, Tyrell Malacia likewise. Christian Eriksen, a product of Ajax's academy, returned where his career started to train when Ten Hag was in charge in January 2022 Even those targets who didn't arrive in Manchester, such as Jurrien Timber and Frenkie de Jong, have history with ten Hag.

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As United continue to look to reshape the Old Trafford squad, once again looks are being cast in the direction of the Netherlands. Reports have linked United with Dutch international Donyell Malen, who spent time in Ajax as a youngster and played for PSV in the Eredivise before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2021. He is valued at £25million while United are also said to be monitoring 21-year-old Ajax striker Brian Brobbey. Arsenal are also being linked with the youngster who was handed his senior debut by Ten Hag in 2020 and a bidding war could push his value north of £20million.

Both players have their merits. The pair possess reasonable scoring ratios, are an age where they can improve further and have experience of major leagues. But with Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in the corridors of power at Old Trafford, Ten Hag must convince the new investors that his friends