Erik ten Hag's 'no-brainer' transfer move could solve Manchester United's defensive problems

It’s been a very good week for Erik ten Hag, and no doubt he’ll be making the most of it before he’s faced with the mountain of work lying in wait for him at Manchester United.

The 52-year-old signed off from duty in Amsterdam in style as his Ajax side secured yet another Eredivisie title – his third during his four-and-a-half years in charge, with a fourth only eluding him due to the pandemic. His tenure with the Dutch giants will come to an end this weekend with their final fixture at Vitesse Arnhem before he hops on a plane bound for Manchester.

Everyone at United, whether it’s fans, players or staff, will no doubt be counting down the days until they can put what has been a wretched season behind them. Just how many of the current squad will still be at the club next season remains to be seen, and Ten Hag will no doubt have his own ideas about who should stay and should go. But what is certain is that the Dutchman has a major rebuild on his hands.

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Key to that will be repairing a defence that has been well and truly shot to pieces. Only five teams have conceded more goals than United in the Premier League this season, and three of those occupy the relegation zone.

It’s certainly not an easy fix either, with issues across the back-four. But Ten Hag may have already identified the perfect solution.

Jurrien Timber has already been linked with a move to United, with the speculation going into overdrive following Ten Hag’s appointment as manager. The 20-year-old has been in fine form for Ajax this season, leading to his boss handing him an enormous show of belief.

Amidst the title celebrations on Wednesday, Timber was announced as the