Erik ten Hag has won over Man Utd chiefs in tussle over transfer targets

Going Dutch has given Manchester United supporters some magic moments down the years.

Who can forget the goals of deadly predator Ruud van Nistelrooy, the title-winning impact of goalscoring striker Robin van Persie, the no-prisoners defending of Jaap Stam and the calm, commanding goalkeeping of Edwin van der Sar.

Even before that, elegant midfielder Arnold Muhren graced Old Trafford 40 years ago, becoming a trailblazer along with Ipswich star Frans Thijssen for the generations of Dutch footballers to follow them over the North Sea into English football. And now it's back to the future for United under Erik ten Hag.

The 52-year-old Dutchman is focusing on what he knows best in the transfer market by raiding the Eredivisie for new recruits to being to United. That's drawn some criticism from pundits, who reckon football in Holland's top division is way below Premier League standard even if Ajax regularly punch above their weight on the Champions League stage.

That's not deterred Ten Hag, who has already swooped to land left back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord in a £13million deal. Ten Hag's Holland heist isn't stopping there, with the United boss poised for a potential double raid on Ajax for £45million defender Lisandro Martinez and £60million Brazilian winger Antony.

That's on top of £65million number one midfield target Frenkie de Jong, now at Barcelona but a central part of Ten Hag's success at Ajax. Amsterdam's the diamond capital of the world and Ajax have produced some sparkling gems that keep rolling off the production line.

Ten Hag is keen to tap into that rich stream of talent without upsetting his old club. But he's convinced there's enough real quality in the Eredivisie to quell fears that players coming from Holland will fall short of what's needed for a cultural re-set and new revolution at Old Trafford. In early talks with United's director of football John Murtough and chief executive Richard Arnold, the new boss made it clear he wanted players he's worked with before from Holland.

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With an urgency to hit the ground running and speed up United's recovery after a disastrous season, the Dutch coach has a clear plan. Ten Hag wants to take out the uncertainty of whether players will fit in or struggle to be in tune with his methods by targeting players like de Jong, Martinez and Malacia.

He convinced Murtough and Arnold to back his judgement with players he knows inside out - their ability, strengths, weaknesses, character and mentality. But it's no wonder there's some scepticism that the Dutch route doesn't always guarantee success. For not all of United's Dutch gambles have paid off. Going right back to Sir Alex Ferguson's capture of Jordi Cruyff - son of the legendary Johan - in 1996, it's not always been a roaring success.

Cruyff, signed from Barcelona for £1.4million, never managed to be a convincing force at Old Trafford and left for Alaves in 2000. Then there was left back Alexander Buttner, one of Ferguson's last signings in 2012. The former Vitesse star cost £4million and was signed as cover for Patrice Evra but left United two years and 28 games later after an underwhelming stay.

Memphis Depay arrived from PSV in 2015 with a £25million price tag and a growing reputation but found the Old Trafford stage a tough one to crack despite the guidance of manager Louis van Gaal. He last only 18 months at United but fared better at Lyon where he earned a move to Barcelona.

Ajax defender Daley Blind probably sits in between with a respectable career at United spanning four years and 141 games, although he never reached the high's of Stam, who still remains revered amongst fans. For the next wave of Dutch imports the Old Trafford and Premier League stage awaits.