4 scouted Ajax stars who Erik ten Hag could bring with him to Man Utd

As Erik ten Hag prepares to become Manchester United manager, there will understandably be one eye on some of his current Ajax stars.

The Dutch coach has already agreed to take charge at Old Trafford next season, where a drastic overhaul is needed. Given the success he has enjoyed in Amsterdam, it is inevitable some of his top performers are being tipped to follow him.

Despite an injury crisis, several of Ten Hag's young stars stepped up with impressive displays against PEC Zwolle to take a step closer to the Eredivisie title. Here's a look at how four players - some of whom are already linked to Manchester United - performed and what they could bring to the Premier League.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Erik ten Hag be a success as Manchester United manager? Join the discussion in the comments section.

Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber is one of the names already being linked with a move to Manchester United to join Ten Hag.

It is no surprise, given the performances which have seen the 20-year-old dubbed by some to be a better prospect than Matthijs de Ligt was prior to his move to Juventus.

Timber, 5ft10, is not the tallest centre-back but he undoubtedly possesses huge talent as a footballer. On the ball, he was comfortable passing through the lines.

In the second half, he made a well-timed run into the opposition box to hit the post before Davy Klaasen tapped in the rebound.

Alongside Daley Blind, Timber was flexible moving around to create openings in possession but never neglecting his defensive duties.

Timber and Blind play unique defensive roles, and it will be fascinating to see whether Ten Hag is able - or even attempts - to replicate them in the Premier League.

Even if he does not, Timber plays with the sort of poise and clear technical ability which is sure to attract top clubs.

Earlier this week, he hailed Ten Hag's role in his development, stating: "Ten Hag has been very important to me personally.

"Under him I became the footballer, the man I am today. The coach talked to me a lot. He's been very critical, in a good, constructive way. I won't forget that anytime soon."

Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch is generally considered the crown jewel of Ajax's current crop of youngsters.

The central midfielder is still only 19 but has already made over 100 senior appearances and won 10 Netherlands caps.

The progressive midfielder is an imposing physical presence at 6ft 3 and looks a natural carrying the ball into space.

But beyond that, his role as the focal point in the Ajax midfielder against Zwolle both in and out of possession was remarkably impressive for a player so young.

He was joined in the middle of the park by Kenneth Taylor, making just his second senior start, and 21-year-old Mohammed Kudus.

In a flexible and interchangeable system, Gravenberch was a real leader on the pitch and never missed a beat in terms of dropping back to cover where needed or cutting out loose balls.

When he did the latter, he generally picked a positive and accurate pass to move his side forward and get them back onto the front foot.

Given the impending departure of Paul Pogba and a desire to strengthen in central midfield, it is easy to see why Gravenberch will be linked with United.

But he will have no shortage of suitors if he does decide to move on, and Bayern Munich are believed to be closing in on his signature. He will most likely prove out of United's reach.

Sebastian Haller

Sebastian Haller is well-known to Premier League fans as a result of his largely underwhelming stint at West Ham.

But he has been a completely different player since heading to Ajax, being a prolific scorer both in the Eredevisie and in Europe having been reunited with Ten Hag.

It was under Ten Hag at Utrecht that the imposing striker really made his breakthrough, and he has again been at his best under his tutorship in Amsterdam.

Holding up play in the channels, winning flick-ons and generally being a disruptive presence, Haller was central to pretty much all of Ajax's attacking play.

Rather than just playing centrally, he generally tended to find himself opting for the right area to target and he enabled Dusan Tadic to work much of his magic in and around the box.

Although he did not get on the scoresheet and probably didn't enjoy his best game, Haller's impact for Ajax was still clearly evident against Zwolle.

With United on the lookout for a focal point in attack to ease the burden on the ageing Cristiano Ronaldo, it is easy to envisage a scenario where Ten Hag would be keen to give Haller a second chance in the Premier League.

Kenneth Taylor

There has been absolutely no indication that Kenneth Taylor could be of interest to Manchester United, and in reality it is probably far too soon for any interest to really gather pace.

But, if Ten Hag is given time to oversee an Old Trafford revolution, his name could be one to watch.

The 19-year-old was thrown into a youthful midfield for just his second start for Ajax's senior team and he certainly grasped his chance.

The versatile youngster was assured receiving possession in between the lines, a key aspect of the way Ten Hag likes to play, and generally made the right decision when it got there.

When PEC Zwolle were dispossessed in midfield after half an hour and the ball fell to Taylor, he quickly spotted a run in behind from Dusan Tadic and executed a well-weighted ball over the top which was duly dispatched over the keeper and into the net.

In the second half, he also showed his ability to carry the ball and exert an attacking influence. As all-around displays go, Taylor's was right up there.

Whisper it quietly, but there were shades of Frenkie de Jong - a key figure under Ten Hag before his big-money move to Barcelona.

It is very early days, but Taylor could be one to watch for clubs such as United looking for the next gem off the Ajax production line if his performance against Zwolle was anything to go by.