Erik ten Hag could 'scupper Man Utd transfer plan' with Jurgen Klopp link-up

Erik ten Hag could be set to join forces with Jurgen Klopp at RB Leipzig, a move that could reportedly spell trouble for Manchester United’s pursuit of German international David Raum.

New United boss Ruben Amorim has prioritised signing a new left-back after inheriting Ten Hag’s squad, and Raum fits the bill perfectly.

However, Leipzig coach Marco Rose is under intense scrutiny following a string of poor results, with speculation growing that Ten Hag has been approached as a potential replacement. The Dutchman would likely demand significant influence over transfers, making it unlikely he’d allow a key player to join his former club – according to The Mirror.

Leipzig managed to secure a win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup midweek, breaking a five-game winless streak in the Bundesliga and Champions League. Tuesday night’s match against Aston Villa is seen as crucial for Rose.

United are on the hunt for a left-sided defender after Luke Shaw was again sidelined due to injury, having missed most of the last year. Concerns are growing at Old Trafford that the 29-year-old England international may never regain his top form.

His fitness issues posed a significant challenge for Ten Hag, a problem now faced by Amorim. Tyrell Malacia has recently returned to the squad after a 12-month absence, which meant that Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui had to step in.

Raum, 26, who can play as a full-back or wing-back, is valued at around £35million. Amorim is keen to sign a left-sided defender in the January transfer window, although the club would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy.

Raum began his career with lower league side Greuther Furth before joining Hoffenheim and then signing for Leipzig, where he has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, in a £25million move in the summer 2022.

If Ten Hag does replace Rose, it would mean United recouping a significant portion of the £10million compensation package they paid when they sacked the Dutchman in October. Ten Hag was approached by Leipzig before he left Ajax to join Man Utd just over two years ago.

His agent, Kees Vos, had agreed a salary package with the Bundesliga club after meeting them, but United made an offer that was too good to turn down. Ten Hag speaks fluent German, having previously been on the books at Bayern Munich as reserve team coach.

It would be an intriguing move if he found himself working alongside Klopp, given their rivalry in the Premier League. The former Liverpool boss handed Ten Hag his most embarrassing defeat when his Liverpool side thrashed United 7-0 at Anfield in March 2023.

The football world was left stunned when Klopp revealed he had joined the Red Bull operation, just months after his departure from Liverpool.

Klopp confessed that his demanding eight-year tenure with the Reds had left him exhausted and in need of a hiatus from football.