Netherlands teammates Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt have already dropped a major hint they would want to play together at club level once again. But will that be at Manchester United under their former mentor and old Ajax manager Erik ten Hag?
Products of the famed Ajax system, De Jong and De Ligt were instrumental figures when the Amsterdam side put themselves back on the European map with a run to the Champions League semis in 2019. Barcelona and Juventus came calling for them, respectively, during the summer window that followed.
Having also won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double their stock was high and rising. De Jong had agreed a switch to the Nou Camp in January and that €86million transfer was followed-up with Juventus splashing out close to the same amount for teenage captain De Ligt.
READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong drops biggest transfer hint yet amid Manchester United interest
Still only 19 then, the Netherlands defender was a target for United at that time, too. However, fast forward three years and De Jong could be the one United sign from that golden Ajax generation as Erik ten Hag sets his radar on at least one midfield recruit this summer.
United also want a centre-back with Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber a versatile option, but will they revisit De Ligt at some point? Speaking back in 2019, both players (De Jong and De Ligt) were seemingly open to that prospect when addressing De Jong to Barcelona.
Before his own switch to Juventus, centre-back De Ligt said: "I think I voted for Frenkie [in Ajax's Player of the Year]. I think he has developed very well this year. He deserves the move to Barcelona. Will I play with him there? It would be nice to play with Frenkie in a team, but I don't know if it will happen."
De Jong added: "I'd like to see him [De Ligt] here, but I cannot decide. He has to make that decision with his family. When I saw Barca wanted me to play here, the decision was easy."
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