Hakim Ziyech: Manchester United Board Denied Erik ten Hag Chance to Sign Chelsea Star

Hakim Ziyech: Manchester United Board Denied Erik ten Hag Chance to Sign Chelsea Star

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:10 PM
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  • Erik ten Hag attempted to sign Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea but was ultimately overruled by the club's board
  • The board, rather uncharacteristically, backed Ten Hag heavily in the transfer market with the high-money arrivals of Casemiro, Anthony and Lisandro Martinez
  • Ziyech was believed to be open to a move away from Chelsea, with AC Milan among the clubs touted as possible destinations

It has now been revealed that the Manchester United board stepped in to prevent head coach Erik ten Hag from signing Hakim Ziyech.

Ziyech was one of the players that Ten Hag has earmarked for his rebuild at Old Trafford. The United board, however, backed the manager with other players instead.

Hakim Ziyech, Erik ten Hag, Manchester United, Ajax, Chelsea
Erik ten Hag worked with Hakim Ziyech at Ajax. Photo by ANP Sport.
Source: Getty Images

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The Daily Mail reports that Ten Hag is one of the most supported managers financially, with the club going out big to land Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Anthony. Antony completed his move from Ajax on the final day in a big money move that saw him become the club's second-most expensive signing behind Paul Pogba.

Ten Hag attempted to add Ziyech to his wishlist but failed. It is, however, understood that it is not a problem as the Chelsea man was a plan B option to Antony.

The former Morocco international had been rumoured to be on his way out of Chelsea with Italian champions AC Milan interested in his services.

He has failed to be a regular member of Thomas Tuchel's side and competition is expected to be stiffer with the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling. His only start in the season came in the defeat against Southampton on Tuesday night.

Antony reveals a chance to play for Erik ten Hag again was too huge to turn down

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Manchester United’s new signing Anthony said the chance to play for Erik Ten Hag again was a key motivator for his move to Old Trafford.

Anthony was unveiled by the club on Thursday, September 1, after it was reported by BBC that a fee of £82m had been agreed upon with Ajax.

Moments after he was revealed in a Red shirt, the 22-year-old winger took to social media with an interesting message:

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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