According to sources, Erik ten Hag hopes to reunite with Ajax striker Brian Brobbey at Manchester United as early as this month. And the 21-year-old demonstrated to Ten Hag just what he is missing with a starring contribution in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Waalwijk in the Dutch Eredivisie.

United are set to recruit a new striker this summer as one of the first signings of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS era, once the Premier League approves the £1.3 billion purchase for a 29 percent interest.

Ten Hag, on the other hand, is said to be interested in luring Brobbey to Old Trafford during the January transfer window in order to compete with £72 million youngster Rasmus Hojlund.

According to Sky Germany, Brobbey’s move to United was a heated subject last summer as Ten Hag looked for a new striker, and they have remained in contact ever since.

Both the club and the player are believed to value each other, and if a transfer does not take place this winter, it will apparently be re-considered at the end of summer.

United will need to replace Anthony Martial, who is expected to leave M16 once his nine-year contract expires in June.

And Brobbey’s performance at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday would have helped his prospects of making a big move.

The Netherlands international scored twice in the first half, either side of Michiel Kramer’s equaliser for the visitors, giving Ajax a 2-1 lead at the break.

Brobbey had the opportunity to complete a hat-trick when Ajax was awarded a penalty immediately after Kristian Hlynsson’s third.

He missed from the spot, but Steven Berghuis made it 4-1 at the end. He did, however, leave the field to another rousing applause following his most recent productive performance.

Brobbey has 15 goals in 26 games in all competitions this season, with four assists to his name.

The former Ten Hag student had scored 11 goals in as many previous games, which would have piqued the United manager’s interest.

But after full-time on Sunday, Brobbey ruled out leaving Ajax this month. Furthermore, he stated that he is no longer in regular communication with Ten Hag.

“I am not aware of any interest from Manchester United. I read about it in the news, but I’m remaining in Amsterdam,” Brobbey added.

He added: “I am no longer in communication with Erik ten Hag. We used to text on WhatsApp, but I believe Erik is busy. I got a new number, so…