23 January 2024 , 08:33
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Manchester United remain keen on Ajax's Brian Brobbey - despite the player pouring water on a January move.
The Red Devils continue to track the forward despite Erik ten Hag being made aware of their financial situation, which is likely to hamper any permanent signings this month. Brobbey was on Ten Hag's shortlist last summer, but the club ended up pursuing other targets.
United are keen to bolster their forward line with several of their options not firing, while Anthony Martial could leave this summer. Brobbey scored twice at the weekend, taking his tally for the season to 15, but claimed this week that he no longer talks to his former boss.
“I am not in contact with Erik ten Hag anymore,” he said at the weekend. “We used to text through Whatsapp, but I think Erik is busy. I have a new number as well, so..."
Any imminent potential deal is being played down with United needing to sell before they buy this month and actively looking to get some of their big-earners off the club's books. However, United are open to making signings in January if an opportunity does arise, and Brobbey is someone that they enquired about last summer.
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Instead, Ten Hag spent big to make Rasmus Hojlund United's new centre-forward, but scoring goals has been a problem with Hojlund taking a while to find his feet in the Premier League. Marcus Rashford, who enjoyed his most prolific campaign last term, has endured a massive drop off whilst the likes of Antony continue to underwhelm.
Brian Brobbey has worked under Erik ten Hag in the past (Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images)Any deal for Brobbey would make him the fourth deal during Ten Hag's reign that has seen the Dutchman return for a former fledgling. In his first summer he bought Lisandro Martinez and Antony with him to Old Trafford. Twelve months later he signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan, with the pair having also worked together previously in Amsterdam.