The pressure is building on Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford of late, and that now appears to include suspicions of nepotism as Manchester United manager.
That's after it emerged some among the United board are increasingly concerned about the role Ten Hag's agent, Kees Vos, and his company are having in club matters. Vos' Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) represent Rasmus Hojlund – who joined the Red Devils this summer for £64million – and acted on behalf of Sofyan Amrabat while negotiating his loan move with an option to buy from Fiorentina.
The Daily Mail reported SEG is now the 'go-to agency' for United's business in the transfer market, and Ten Hag's son, Nigel, has been working for the company as an analyst since October 2022. As well as playing significant roles in Hojlund and Amrabat joining United this summer, SEG also organised Zidane Iqbal's sale to one of Ten Hag's former clubs, Utrecht, after he ditched his old agency for them.
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It was at Utrecht that Netherlands-born Amrabat first encountered Ten Hag and was handed his senior debut by the tactician. The pair have spoke glowingly of one another since reuniting at Old Trafford earlier in September, and Amrabat credited Ten Hag's impact on his development after SEG confirmed Vos 'conducted negotiations on his behalf'.
It's noted rival agents are unhappy with the detrimental effect SEG's United links have had on their own business. The club's transfer dealings have become more exclusive to players under the SEG umbrella, restricting the prospects of other representatives in concluding business at Old Trafford.
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SEG is regarded as the leading agency in the Netherlands and previously helped the likes of Robin van Persie, Daley Blind and Memphis Depay move to Manchester, though the latter is no longer on their books. Ten Hag has been scrutinised by some for his preference of working with players familiar to him, luring winger Antony and defender Lisandro Martinez from previous club Ajax in his first transfer window at United.
Neither of those moves have worked out quite as the manager might have hopes despite hefty expense. Martinez performed admirably in his first term in England but has seen his form criticised this season, while Antony has followed up a disappointing first campaign by being placed on leave amid accusations of domestic abuse and assault by three different women.
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The Daily Mail highlighted one comment from an Old Trafford source, who noted it's not unusual for certain club personnel to inspire closer relationships with certain agencies. United previously conducted a spate of transfers with clients of the late Mino Raiola during Jose Mourinho's time in charge, for example.
Despite any criticism over the links, another source from SEG was quoted saying United's dealings with the company only represented about 1% of its summer business, which comprised more than 300 transfers. Pep Guardiola is among the star clients at SEG after his agent brother, Pere, joined the company's ranks in 2022.
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