Ten Hag’s Man United overhaul in disarray already as three players reject club

Erik ten Hag will depart current club Ajax as Eredivisie champion this summer having wrapped up the Dutch top flight title on Tuesday evening. 

The Dutchman watched his side beat Heerenveen 5-0 to wrap up the title, and he will soon turn his attention to the rebuilding project he faces at Old Trafford.

United have registered their worst ever Premier League points tally this term, and outgoing boss Ralf Rangnick is set to be followed by a number of stars, including Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata.

Jesse Lingard is also on his way out of the club, and Ten Hag will likely be on the lookout for midfield reinforcements with as many as four of the club’s current crop set to depart.

It appears that his search for midfield options has already been derailed, though, as three of his top targets have already rejected the chance to join the club, as per The Daily Star.

The report claims that Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips has rubbished reports linking him with the Red Devils, primarily because of the hatred between the two clubs.

Phillips has rejected a move to United due to his Leeds allegiances

Phillips is a lifelong Whites fan along with his family, and that has destroyed any chance of a potential move.

Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham has also been touted as a potential target for United, however it appears that the England international also won’t be making the move to Old Trafford.

The Bundesliga side have told United categorically that the Englishman will not be available this summer, having already lost Erling Braut Haaland to Manchester City.

Bellingham has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best midfielders over the past 18 months, and has also been heavily linked with Liverpool.

The final midfielder to have been ruled out of a move to United is Declan Rice, who has hinted that he may even remain at current side West Ham United.

Rice, 23, has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Man City as well as United, but the Hammers man is keen on playing Champions League football, which rules the latter out of contention.

The report also claims that Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was a target for Ten Hag, but the Serie A side have already told United that the Serbian is not for sale.

Ten Hag’s job at Old Trafford may therefore have become even harder as the Dutchman comes to terms with the significance of United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.