Ajax in surprise Man Utd link ahead of Aston Villa Europa Conference League clash

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly linked with a surprise return to Ajax, just as Aston Villa prepare to take on the Dutch team in the Europa Conference League.

After leaving Ajax to lead Manchester United in June 2022, ten Hag is facing a challenging second season at Old Trafford.

Manchester United currently sits in sixth place in the Premier League and trails behind both Villa and Tottenham in the race for a Champions League spot. There's speculation that new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could replace him in the summer.

Ajax is also going through a tough season under John van 't Schip. The team is a significant 27 points behind Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven and has dropped into the Europa Conference League after being eliminated from the Europa League.

According to The Independent, Ajax would be very interested in appointing ten Hag if he were to leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding van 't Schip's future, Villa is set to face Ajax in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. The second leg will take place at Villa Park on March 14.

Van 't Schip is expecting a tough tie. “Of course there are always clubs that are considered strong and that are perhaps seen as slightly less strong. I think Aston Villa was the strongest in that entire group. They play in the Premier League, they are currently fourth and are aiming for Champions League football,” he said. “With Emery they have an experienced coach who knows what it means to win trophies in Europe.”