Erik ten Hag's first Bayer Leverkusen signing will block unlikely Man United transfer sale

When former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was announced as Bayer Leverkusen manager last week it created quite a bit of intrigue for a number of reasons.

Not least because he is replacing Xabi Alonso as manager who has left an untouchable legacy at the BayArena as he prepares to take over as Real Madrid boss.

Not only did Alonso deliver the club their first ever Bundesliga title last year, he won an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double as they won the DFB Pokal, too.

Following in his footsteps is daunting for any manager, never mind one with the circumstances Ten Hag is coming in with.

First of all, he has to shake off the failure of how his United tenure ended. The Dutchman won two trophies in two seasons at United but abandoned the style of play that brought him success at Ajax. As league results badly regressed it ultimately that led to his dismissal in October 2024.

And he is inheriting a Leverkusen side who might have finished second in the Bundesliga last season but look set to lose their three most valuable players this summer.

Centre-back Jonathan Tah has left the club on a free transfer and signed for their main rivals Bayern Munich on a four-year deal. Meanwhile, right-wing-back Jeremie Frimpong and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz are both expected to join Liverpool.

Those deals will give Ten Hag money to spend but they may have to take some steps backwards before they start to move forward again in his rebuild.

Then there is the question of whether Ten Hag will raid United for any new signings. One suggestion that has been mooted, although it always seemed unlikely, was for Leverkusen to reunite Ten Hag with United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The pair enjoyed an excellent relationship at Ajax and