Four Erik ten Hag signings at Ajax that hint at Man Utd's new transfer direction

Erik ten Hag is edging closer to becoming Manchester United 's next manager after the club reached an agreement in principle with the Ajax boss.

The Dutchman is keeping tight-lipped on his future until after the Dutch cup final this Sunday as Ajax face PSV in a game that could hand Ten Hag's side the double, if they maintain their four-point lead in the Eredivisie. Although not officially announced, it appears that United finally have their new long-term manager lined up, and he may already be close to making his first signing.

According to reports, United are set to move for River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer as his £20.6million release clause comes into play. And judging by Ten Hag's track record of signing stars at Ajax, Fernandez definitely looks like a potential signing that the 52-year-old has sanctioned.

Back in the day, it would be absurd to suggest that a manager wouldn't have complete control over players coming in and going out, but the modern game is very different. The role of a manager is a thing of the past, as clubs now opt to appoint a 'head coach' while coming up with a recruitment strategy internally.

However, as we have seen in recent years, this doesn't always tend to work, and Ten Hag has demanded to have an active say in all transfers if he is to become United boss. Fernandez could be his first signing, and the highly-rated Argentine scored in Wednesday's 2-0 win against Fortaleza in the Copa Libertadores.

United need a new defensive midfielder with Nemanja Matic announcing that he will leave the club in the summer, and Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are all expected to leave at the end of the season. So Fernandez could be the first signing in a new look United midfield,