There is a new technical director, an inaugural sporting director and another sporting director on the board who is assisted by a sport project manager. Yet Manchester United continue to target players who are Dutch, or have played for Ajax, or for the manager.
At Bayern last season, De Ligt started a paltry 23 games. He has not had a kick at the European Championship in an admittedly impressive Dutch defence. De Ligt played one minute at the 2022 World Cup. In a heated exchange with Ed Woodward, Langley questioned the competency of those running the club. Seven months later, Langley was gone.
All three of Ten Hag's blond bombshells at Ajax have endured difficulties away from the Amster. De Ligt has become a substitute for club and country, Barcelona accepted an offer from United for Frenkie de Jong two years ago and Donny van de Beek will be released next year if he is not sold this year.