16 January 2023 , 05:00
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It's not a bad time to be a Manchester United fan.
Erik ten Hag's side have won nine consecutive games in all competitions and extended their superb run by beating local rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils are still fourth in the Premier League table, although they are now just a point behind Pep Guardiola's champions in second.
United will be viewed as realistic title contenders if they win their next two games against Crystal Palace and Arsenal. But they may need to bring in more reinforcements in January to boost their title hopes. Here are the latest transfer rumours from Old Trafford.
Ten Hag looking to raid Ajax... again
Ten Hag has told United's scouts to look at more than a dozen youngsters based in the Netherlands - including some of Ajax's most promising stars.
That's according to The Sun, who claim Ten Hag wants to lower the age profile of his squad over the next 18 months. He's said to be keen on three Ajax players - centre-back Jurrien Timber, 21, right-back Devyne Rensch, 19, and central midfielder Kenneth Taylor, 20.
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Ten Hag knows Ajax's youngsters well after spending four-and-a-half years in charge of the Dutch giants. He won six trophies during his time at Ajax - including three Eredivisie titles - to persuade United's hierarchy to make him Ralf Rangnick's successor.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly interested in signing three Ajax players (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Who do you think Manchester United should sign in January? Let us know in the comments below!
It's said United's other targets are winger Jesper Karlsson and midfielder Joey Veerman, who are both 24 and play for AZ Alkmaar. A source told The Sun: "The manager is insistent there are gems in Holland and Germany the club should take a greater interest in.
"He feels quite strongly that United can steal a march and the scouts have been told United need to ramp things up in both Holland and Germany."
Preston boss plays down Iqbal rumours
Preston manager Ryan Lowe has revealed United youngster Zidane Iqbal is NOT on the verge of completing a loan deal to Deepdale.
The Iraq international, 19, reportedly wants to spend the second half of the season away from Old Trafford to get some minutes in the tank. He's been on Ten Hag's bench 11 times this campaign but is yet to make a senior appearance under the Dutchman.
Iqbal trained with Preston's first team last season, but Lowe is not expecting the midfielder to complete a loan move this month. "He was training with us last season for a week, he and another lad came in," the Preston boss told the Lancashire Post.
Lowe added: "They joined us last year for a week and they were excellent, the pair of them. But there is no interest in us taking Zidane on loan, unless I'm told different from Man Utd and they say he wants to come, then it might be a different conversation. I haven't been told that."
United stars offer support to Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to stay at Old Trafford after weeks of speculation (Getty Images)Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in January, but his performance on Saturday afternoon may just have saved his United career.
The 25-year-old posted a picture of himself from the Manchester derby on Instagram, and the response from his United team-mates suggest he's not going anywhere. David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes and others showed Wan-Bissaka plenty of love in the comments.
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Anthony Elanga even commented: "You deserve this brother". Tyrell Malacia clearly agreed with that statement, as he replied with the 100 emoji.
Diogo Dalot displaced Wan-Bissaka as United's primary right-back last season but is currently unavailable due to a hamstring injury. It's unclear when Dalot will be fit again - giving Wan-Bissaka the chance to impress Ten Hag over the coming weeks.