Ten Hag Wants Chelsea Star At United – Mourinho Also Tried To Sign Him

Manchester United will try to sign N’Golo Kante for Erik ten Hag, six years after he snubbed them for Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho’s era at Old Trafford kicked off with the record breaking arrival of Paul Pogba to bolster United’s midfield in the summer of 2016. But the Portuguese also wanted to lure Kante from Leicester City to further solidify his midfield. However, the France international turned down Mourinho’s approach in favour Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.

Ten Hag will take charge of the Red Devils from this summer, and the incoming boss is also reportedly interested in kick-starting his reign by signing the dynamic Frenchman.

According to The Mirror, the Dutch tactician believes United lack energy in the middle of the park. He sees Kante as a player who can add quality to a midfield short on ‘real gravitas’.

The midfielder turned 31 in March, but Ten Hag believes he still has the ability, experience and hunger to help United’s young players next campaign.

With only a year left on his current Chelsea contract to run, United see Kante as an attainable target. Further, Thomas Tuchel is expected to make changes to his squad once the takeover is complete at Stamford Bridge.

Pogba is leaving the club this summer. As such, the midfield link up that Mourinho desired in his maiden season isn’t going to happen, but United can still fulfill Ten Hag’s alleged wish by bringing in Kante.