Ajax send cheeky message to Man Utd and Erik ten Hag following Matthijs de Ligt & Noussair Mazraoui double signing

Both players were part of the Ajax squad that stunned Europe by reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, a feat that brought Ten Hag into the spotlight as one of Europe’s most promising managers. Now, the Dutchman has managed to bring them back together, this time in Manchester, as he continues to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

The double signing from Bayern Munich, valued at close to £60 million ($77 million) is expected to solve United's defensive woes which was a significant area of concern last season. De Ligt has committed to a five-year contract with the club, while Mazraoui has signed a four-year deal. Both deals also include an option for an additional 12 months.

Since taking the reins at United two years ago, Ten Hag has made it a priority to bring in players he trusts and knows well. The arrival of De Ligt and Mazraoui means that United now boasts five former Ajax players in their squad, following the earlier signings of Lisandro Martinez, Antony, and Andre Onana.

Ajax's influence at Old Trafford has not gone unnoticed by the Dutch club either. In a light-hearted response to the transfer news, they humorously posted on X: "Manchester is red," accompanied by a winking face emoji.

The signings of De Ligt and Mazraoui signal a new era at United, one where Ten Hag’s influence is increasingly evident. As the Dutchman continues to shape the squad in his image, the expectation is that United will return to the upper echelons of English and European football.