Erik ten Hag identifies Chelsea star as first Manchester United signing | OneFootball

Manchester United have a huge summer ahead of them, with Erik ten Hag expected to make wholesale changes to the Old Trafford club’s underperforming squad.

The 52-year-old secured yet another domestic league title earlier this week and has just one game remaining before he departs Ajax for his role at United.

He doesn’t officially start his work as the club’s next permanent manager until later this summer but according to reports, he has already identified his first summer target.

According to The Mirror, Ten Hag wants to sign N’Golo Kanté from Chelsea as part of his summer rebuild, with the France international seen as a perfect fit.

As per the report, Kanté has just one year remaining on his contract at Chelsea and is viewed by Ten Hag as still good enough in terms of ‘ability, experience and hunger’ to help some of the younger players in the United squad.

Read more: Erik ten Hag given nine-figure budget for first Man Utd transfer window

Furthermore, United believe that Kanté is an attainable target as Chelsea are expected to shake their squad up this summer following their change of ownership.

Ten Hag is said to be firm in his beliefs that United need ‘drastic surgery’ in midfield, with the current group of players lacking energy and decisiveness.

SN’s verdict… Kanté is the latest midfielder to be linked with a move to United, with Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong being the subject of intense speculation in the last week.

There are, however, question marks over Kanté physical state and whether he will be able to stay fit for an entire season, with his injury problems getting worse with each passing year.

The combative star turned 31 earlier this year and he has gradually been phased out of the Chelsea side, which could be interpreted as a red flag for any potential suitor.