Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech could be Manchester United’s right-wing solution

A cheaper, but equally effective option on the right for United would be Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech.

While Frenkie de Jong and Mathijs de Ligt have (rightfully) captured the headlines for the wonderful Ajax side that was seconds away from a Champions League final, it was Ziyech who was actually named his side’s Player of the Year this season.

He won the club’s award for the second consecutive time, finishing with 19 goals and 13 assists in his 43 appearances. Ajax’s sporting director Marc Overmars has already given his Moroccan star the green light to move on from the club;

"He is in focus because of his achievements in the Champions League. Many big clubs are buzzing around him. We promised Hakim that we would agree if there is a good transfer."

United should make a bid for Ziyech before a rival snaps him up.

While his stats in the Dutch league may not be all that reliable given the lower quality of some of the weaker teams in the league, Ziyech’s quality was more than evident in the Champions League.

He finished with three goals and three assists in his 11 appearances and truly dazzled during the knockout stages against Real Madrid, Juventus, and then Tottenham.

Ziyech is a skilful dribbler capable of taking on defenders with both his trickery and his pace, and he loves to drift around the field. His position at Ajax was that of an inside forward, where he would cut in Arjen Robben-style from the right wing onto his left foot before firing at goal.