- Paul Merson has questioned why Ten Hag did not target his fellow Dutchman
- Van de Ven has enjoyed a superb start since joining Tottenham in the summer
- Is Erik ten Hag out of his depth at Man United? Listen here to It’s All Kicking Off
Paul Merson has claimed Manchester United’s hierarchy should be asking ‘serious questions of manager Erik ten Hag for failing to sign Tottenham centre back Micky van de Ven in the summer.
Tottenham signed Van de Ven from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in a £43million transfer in the summer.
The 22-year-old has formed a crucial partnership at the heart of Tottenham’s defence with Cristian Romero, conceding just nine goals in 10 Premier League games this season.
Van de Ven and Romero have helped Spurs enjoy an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, with Ange Postecoglou’s side occupying top spot on 26 points.
The centre back has been rewarded for his early season form by earning his first caps for the Netherlands during last month’s international break.
Merson believes Man United should be questioning Ten Hag over the failure to target his fellow Dutchman, with the former Arsenal midfielder highlighting their defensive issues this season.
The Red Devils have conceded 16 goals in the Premier League and have been forced to call upon veteran Jonny Evans after injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
‘I would be asking questions if I owned the club. I would be sitting there now and I would be going to you as the manager, “Why didn’t we get the lad at Tottenham?”, Merson told Sky Sports.
‘”He’s Dutch. You are Dutch. You know the league. You know the players. Why is he at Tottenham and he isn’t here? And we haven’t got a centre-half.”
‘No disrespect to Evans. But you are playing a 30-odd-year-old next to Maguire. Varane can’t get fit. Lindelof, I don’t think is a real centre-half, if I am being totally honest. I wouldn’t mind him marking me.
‘Then you are looking at this player [Van de Ven] who is one of the best centre-halves in the league at the moment. And he isn’t playing for Man United. He wasn’t £80-90 million. Serious questions.’
Ten Hag has previously been criticised for his tendency to focus on signing players he has already worked with.
Antony and Lisandro Martinez both followed him from Ajax last year, while concerns were raised over the influence of the agency SEG, the company owned by Ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos.
Man United are expected to target defensive reinforcements in January with Nice central defender Jean-Clair Todibo linked to the club.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
