Why Erik ten Hag wants Hakim Ziyech at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag is keen to bring Hakim Ziyech to Manchester United and it's not difficult to understand why he's so eager for a reunion.

With just over two weeks to go until the transfer window closes on September 1, United are in serious need of further recruits. Ten Hag is looking to bolster both his midfield and attack in order to give himself the best possible chance of a successful first season in the Premier League.

One of the players on Ten Hag's radar is Ziyech. MENSport reported last week that Ten Hag is keen to bring the 29-year-old to Old Trafford but is being met with some resistance by the board as they want the Dutchman to pursue other options.

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It has been a disappointing transfer window for United so far and this news reinforces the idea that the board are not giving their manager the full support needed for him to implement his vision at the club. That is not to say that Ten Hag has given up on the player and his comments during their time together at Ajax show exactly why he wants to reunite with Ziyech.

Speaking to Dutch Soccer Site in 2019 while at Ajax, Ten Hag said: "Hakim [Ziyech], the classic individualist, in the good sense of the word. You need him to make the difference and at times you need him in the team structure too. He can see the team cohesion and he sees the bigger picture.

"Whenever resistance is at its highest, Ziyech shines. We have many players who can create but in the final third, no one is as good as Hakim."

Ten Hag will know exactly what he will get from a player that he has worked with so closely in the past. But at the same time, it could be his own words that have prompted the board to