Rene Meulensteen urges Manchester United to pursue Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato

Manchester United’s looming summer overhaul has drawn an unexpected name into the transfer conversation, with former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen championing Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato as a prime target for INEOS and the club’s next permanent manager.

Speaking to Metro, Meulensteen expressed concern over Hato’s stalled development since leaving Ajax for £37 million last summer and suggested Old Trafford could provide the platform the 19-year-old needs to reignite his promise.

“It is a disappointing move for Jorrel Hato because he was absolutely outstanding for Ajax at the time,” Meulensteen said. “It doesn’t help his career, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he is looking for a loan move or another challenge elsewhere.”

The Dutch coach, who spent six years on United’s backroom staff, believes Hato’s versatility makes him an attractive proposition for any Premier League side, particularly United, who are scouring the market for reinforcements at both centre-back and defensive midfield.

“If I were any Premier League team, including Manchester United, and he were available or became available, I would definitely be looking at him because he is still very young, and there is a lot of potential to unlock,” Meulensteen added. “He is also versatile—he can play left-back, centre-back, or as a number six. He is technically very, very good.”

Hato became the youngest captain in Ajax’s history before his big-money switch to Stamford Bridge, and Meulensteen’s suggestion that the teenager could be deployed as a holding midfielder aligns with United’s urgent need to find a long-term successor to Casemiro.

With Michael Carrick currently overseeing the team on an interim basis, the identity of the next permanent manager remains uncertain, yet the club’s recruitment staff are already compiling targets capable of restoring title credentials. Hato’s potential availability could present a low-risk, high-upside addition to a squad in transition.

Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate may be strengthened by their squad churn and the fact that United and the Blues concluded a deal for Alejandro Garnacho at the end of last season, proving the London club are open to trading with a direct rival.

As the rumour mill accelerates ahead of the summer window, Meulensteen’s endorsement ensures Jorrel Hato will be one name to watch on United’s radar.

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