There has been a distinct pattern across many of the recent signings made by Manchester United.
Since Erik Ten Hag took over as manager, the club have had a startling tendency to move almost exclusively for players that Ten Hag has either worked with at previous clubs, or is familiar with from Dutch football spheres.
There has been the odd exception, such as Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro or Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, but a remarkable amount of Ten Hag's signing have been either Dutch internationals or ex-Eredivisie players.
If one zooms in even more specifically, a strong cohort of ex-Ajax players have arrived at Old Trafford since last summer.
Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, and Antony have all enjoyed periods of being starting XI essentials since joining United, showing the influence that Ten Hag's Ajax roots have had on his approach in Manchester.
It is for that reason that former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is frustrated that the club did not attempt to sign dynamic winger Mohammed Kudus over the summer.
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Tom Cleverley thinks Manchester United missed a trick in not signing Kudus
Mohammed Kudus emerged as a serious young talent during his final year at Ajax last season, scoring 18 goals in 42 games in all competitions, and earning much attention from overseas. He would ultimately join West Ham United, where he has begun to hit his stride and establish himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting young attackers.
KUDUS DOES IT AGAIN!
2-0 West Ham! Wolves defence all over the place here 🫣 pic.twitter.com/oJqfi5sv1H— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 17, 2023
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes Fanzone this week, ex-Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley said he was frustrated the club's raid of talent from Dutch football had skimmed over Kudus.
Cleverley pointed out that Kudus would have added much to the current United team, and could not understand why the club had not made a move for the Ghanaian forward:
As for any other positive notes on recent Man United signings, it's difficult to really single many others out. It's difficult to stand out in a club that's underachieving.
I'm sure there'll be reinforcements, but I'm already looking at players who've got away. You look at someone like Mohammed Kudus.
You know, we seem to be bringing in a lot of ex-Ajax players. He's one who was on Ajax's books, but he's gone to West Ham. It's a little bit disappointing we didn't pick him up.
Kudus was linked to Manchester United over the summer, but the club ultimately decided against a move. Given the fact that United's forwards have only scored four goals between them in the Premier League this season, it's hard to argue that Kudus' goalscoring presence would not have improved the club's fortunes.
Cleverley went on to address the wider issue around United's attacking talent, saying that the bigger question ahead of the next transfer window was how the club would offload underperforming forwards:
We've said it for a lot of windows, but the first question Manchester United have to answer when it comes to transfer windows is who can they get out? You know, to free up the funds and the places in the squad.
Anthony Martial hasn't worked out, Jadon Sancho needs a solution... you've got to look at the goals in the team this year, they've been low.
Nonetheless, Cleverley did say that he felt that Rasmus Hojlund has potential to grow into an important player for Manchester United. The Danish striker finished the Champions League group stages as the competition's top scorer thus far - but has yet to score in the Premier League.
Manchester United will come up against Mohammed Kudus and West Ham in their next Premier League fixture at 12:30 this Saturday in London.
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