Erik ten Hag has remained coy on the prospect of a reunion with Hakim Ziyech at Manchester United next season.
The pair combined to perfection at Ajax, with Ziyech bagging 16 goals and 17 assists in his final full season in the Eredivisie – form which earned him a £33m move to Chelsea in early 2020.
Since moving to Stamford Bridge, however, Ziyech has struggled to replicate that sort of form and Dutch legend Marco van Basten recently urged Ten Hag to push for a reunion with the Morocco international once he arrives at United in the summer.
Ten Hag was asked about a possible move for Ziyech during a recent appearance on Ziggo Sport, but the boss did his best to avoid giving anything away.
“Of course this was already the case at Ajax,” he said when asked about his success alongside Ziyech. “You take that in and then you have to continue to work well with the dressing room and with people within the club.
“You have to analyse well and make the right choices.”
Chelsea are keen to bolster in attack this summer, with sources confirming to 90min that they remain hopeful of signing Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona – a move which could impact Ziyech’s future at the club.
Former United man Daley Blind, who signed for Ten Hag’s Ajax in 2018, recently backed the Dutchman to be a success in England, but only if he is fully supported by those above him in the boardroom.
Erik ten Hag is a great guy,” Blind told Bij Andy in de Auto. “I am quite confident in him at Manchester United, but he needs the board behind him.
“At Ajax he had [Edwin] Van der Sar and [Marc] Overmars behind him no matter what, also in bad times. I hope he gets the time there, he is one of the best managers around.”
Blind also backed United to succeed in a bid for Ajax winger Antony if they choose to pursue the 22-year-old.
“A few players are already leaving on a free transfer, so I don’t think Ajax will let players go that easily,” Blind continued. “You have to have a team next year that will compete again in the Champions League and for the title.
“If the right amount is paid for Haller or Antony, then Ajax will accept it, but I don’t think Ajax want to sell many players. I hope most of them stay.”
