Eric Ten Haag will be United's next manager and from the player side he could develop encouraging signs. The Dutch boss has a proven track record of improving his talent – both academy graduates and imported players – and the Reds hope he can do the same at Old Trafford. Here are five players he has developed at Ajax that have made them recognized stars in Europe.
Francie De Jong
As the crown jewel of Ajax's incredible 2018-19 season, De Jong won the domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals, with De Jong benefiting greatly from Tenhag's coaching. The midfielder joined Ajax in 2016, when Tenhag had not yet arrived, playing for Ajax Youth and gradually entering the first team. While he regularly played at centre-back in the first few months of the 2018-19 season, his talent was clearly in midfield and he was supported by the manager to play in his favorite position throughout the season. He eventually left Ajax for a record €86 million to join Barcelona and thrived at Camp Nou under Xavi.
De Ligt
Another star of the Ajax team left at the end of the 2018-19 season with a sky-high transfer fee, De Ligt was always seen as the next generation of superstars in Dutch football, and Tenhag got the best performance from him. De Ligt made his debut in 2016 at the age of 16 and became club captain for Tenhag in March 2018. The captain's armband has been with him in the Champions League, and he has become one of the smartest young players in Europe, playing Juventus and Tottenham in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, showing his advantage in the backcourt and scoring ability in the front. He then moved to Juventus for 75 million euros.
Ziyech
Ziyech was tempted to leave Ajax at the first summer transfer window under Tenhag, but after finding no buyer, he ended up staying and the rest became history. It was in the summer of 2018, and in the following season, Ziyech became the protagonist against Real Madrid and Tottenham, and he was one of the brightest players in the Champions League that season. Ziyech will remain here for the following season, excelling on the flanks, forming a formidable attacking combination with Tadić and Neves even after the team's core players left in the summer of 2019. The Moroccan eventually joined Chelsea in 2020 for a transfer fee of 40 million euros, scoring 30 goals for Tenhag's side in two seasons.
Lisandro Martinez
After De Ligt left the team in 2019, Lisandro Martinez was signed as the Dutchman's successor as part of the "new Ajax", and his all-rounder attributes were very useful to the team. The Argentine has played in both the defensive line and in midfield, and in the last two seasons he has become a mainstay of Ajax, with his impressive performances even earning him a call-up for the Argentine national team. Recently, there have been rumours that he will leave the John Cruyff Stadium and Barcelona want to sign him, but he may stay where he is. Martinez was crucial for Ajax to win league and cup doubles last season and could repeat that feat again this season.
Timbel
Few Ajax players have been able to stand out as well this season as Tinber, and the academy graduate is enjoying his breakthrough season. The centre-back is considered a big part of the "new Ajax" system and his performances this season have proven it. Despite being eliminated prematurely, Ajax performed well in the Champions League and is considered a future genius for the Dutch national team. Tinberg made his debut under Tenhag in 2020 for Ajax, and the coach believes the 20-year-old has the ability to play multiple positions in the coming years.