Mohammed Kudus transfer: What would he bring to Man Utd and what has Erik ten Hag said?

The Ajax star has been linked with a move to Manchester United and could rejoin his former manager at Old Trafford.
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Mohammed Kudus has been linked with a January move to Manchester United, as the club continue their search for a new attacker.

Erik ten Hag has already admitted he would like to sign another forward in January and knows the Ajax star well from his time in Amsterdam. Kudus, who nearly signed for Everton last summer, is also a reported target for several of European giants, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The Ghana international only enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, although he could not stop the Black Stars dropping out at the group stage. But could he be on his way to Old Trafford? We’ve taken a look at the latest surrounding a potential move.

What has been reported?

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As per 90min, the Red Devils are ‘exploring the chances of signing’ the Ajax star, but claim that no offer has been made yet for Kudus. Memphis Depay, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Olivier Giroud, Vincent Aboubakar and Joao Felix have also been considered as replacements for Cristiano Ronado, who left the club in January. This isn’t the first time Kudus has been linked with United. The Athletic claimed last month that Ten Hag ‘admires the skill and dynamism’ of the 22-year-old.

What would Kudus bring?

Kudus is capable of playing up front or in a No.10 role, something which may appeal to Ten Hag following Ronaldo’s departure and the potential long-term injury to Donny van de Beek. The left-footer has also been known to play from the right wing, as he did at the World Cup against South Korea, a game in which Kudus scored twice.

This season Kudus has played 21 times for Ajax and has contributed 10 goals and two assists. Those numbers stack up even more favourably given, somewhat peculiarly, he’s started just five league matches all term.

According to WhoScored, Kudus’ main skill sets include his dribbling, finishing and passing, while offside awareness and concentration rank as the player’s worst attributes. This is backed up by his stats with FBREF, which see Kudus ranked in the top eight percent for non-penalty goals, and the top 1% for non-penalty XG, in comparison to players from Europe’s other top leagues. Kudus is also in the 99th percentile for passes attempted, and completed, and for dribbles completed.

Kudus continues to be linked with Europe’s top clubs. Credit: Getty.Kudus continues to be linked with Europe’s top clubs. Credit: Getty.
Kudus continues to be linked with Europe’s top clubs. Credit: Getty.

What has Ten Hag said?

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Ten Hag is known to be a huge admirer of Kudus, who he convinced to sign from Danish side Nordsjaelland in 2020. Speaking after his debut, the now United boss highlighted the qualities which convinced him to move for the Ghanaian.

"I think he’s great to see," Ten Hag Fox Sports after a match between Ajax and Waalwijk. "He is very active and dynamic and can play football with very high intensity.

"When Kudus gets the ball, he often does something good with it. He was also good defensively. He took a lot of balls. If he still learns to choose a better position in our system, then he will be a very nice player for Ajax."

Ten Hag also referred to him as a ‘player with incredible potential’ in a separate interview.

What has Kudus said?

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During an interview at the World Cup, Kudus reserved some similarly flattering words for Ten Hag and revealed how he was convinced to sign for Ajax.

“Because the club is known for developing talent. I talked about that with trainer Erik ten Hag,” Kudus told Algemeen Dagblad.

“In his style of play, creative and attacking, I saw myself. It was exactly in line with my personal qualities and how I wanted to develop.”