“I advise you to stay”: Ten Hag talked sensational teenage prodigy out of free transfer to United in 2023

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag showed interest in Amourricho van Axel Dongen but advised the talented forward to stay put at Ajax.

Ten Hag’s transfer strategy as United manager mostly revolved around targeting either Dutch players or those with connections to Dutch football.

During his time at the helm at Old Trafford, the ex-Ajax man signed five players, including Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who played under him in Amsterdam.

However, when he had the opportunity to lure Van Axel Dongen to Manchester, he decided against making a convincing move.

The Ajax academy product, lauded for his immense potential, made his senior debut under Ten Hag in 2021. However, his quick feet and explosive style of play soon started to attract interest from elsewhere.

In 2023, he came very close to leaving Ajax on a free transfer but eventually ended up signing a new deal with the Eredivisie giants.

Shining light on the offers he received to leave Ajax as a free agent, the 20-year-old told Ziggo Sport (via Sport Witness): “That was the manager (Ten Hag) who had brought me to the first team. Of course he heard about the situation. He called me.”

The Ajax forward added: “He told me honestly, and I appreciate that from him, I worked with you, but I advise you to stay at Ajax. That’s where you can develop yourself best. He said: if you leave, I want you to come to me. That’s what he said. Those were his own words.”

Ten Hag convinced the club’s hierarchy to spend north of €90million on Antony but he showed little determination to sign Van Axel Dongen on a free transfer.

To be fair to the ex-United boss, his decision, this time, wasn’t wrong and the Ajax talent has so far failed to live up to the expectations he generated with his exploits at the youth level.

Further, he has also struggled with injuries and hasn’t featured for Ajax’s senior side so far this campaign.

United, meanwhile, are in the market for a new attacker to strengthen Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of his first full campaign in charge of the Red Devils.

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming the Mancunians are interested in signing Juventus wonderkid Kenan Yildiz.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images