BREAKING NEWS: 🚨✅✅🚨 “I WANT MY BOYS BACK. That club wasn’t right for them, and here’s why. I’ll do everything I can to bring them here,” declared former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, now newly appointed as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach

Erik ten Hag, the mastermind once hailed for his tactical brilliance at Ajax, has reportedly expressed a deep yearning to reunite with three of his trusted soldiers—André Onana, Antony, and Lisandro Martínez. Though now imagined as the boss of Bayer Leverkusen, the sentiment attributed to him is poignant: the belief that Manchester United, with all its turmoil and spotlight, simply wasn’t the right fit for them. For Ten Hag, it’s about restoring a shared dream, reviving a bond that once brought silverware and admiration.

Rumors swirl like windblown leaves about a potential overhaul at Leverkusen, especially in the wake of Xabi Alonso’s fictional departure to Liverpool. In this alternate footballing universe, Ten Hag isn’t merely rebuilding; he’s reassembling a core of players molded in his footballing image. At both Ajax and United, he crafted these talents not just into performers, but into embodiments of his tactical identity.

There’s a method behind the memory lane. Each of these players thrived under Ten Hag’s system before the bright lights and relentless pressure of the Premier League dimmed their shine. He isn’t driven by nostalgia but by necessity—a desire to regain tactical clarity and discipline through players who already speak his footballing language.

Antony, whose time at Old Trafford has been more turbulent than triumphant, remains a winger with sharp edges—quick, inventive, and dangerous when given confidence and clarity. In the Bundesliga, where creativity is often rewarded with space and momentum, he could rediscover the verve that made him a fan favorite in Amsterdam.

Lisandro Martínez, nicknamed “The Butcher of Amsterdam,” is a defender built for Ten Hag’s high-stakes game. Though injuries have dulled his impact in England, his spirit, aggression, and ball-playing ability remain vital components in the Dutchman’s blueprint. For Ten Hag, Martínez is more than a defender; he’s an extension of the manager’s will on the pitch.

Then there’s Onana—flashy, fearless, and fond of risk. Under Ten Hag, he blossomed into a modern keeper, comfortable with launching attacks and holding a high line. At United, his start was shaky, but the idea of placing him back into a familiar system could spark a renaissance in his confidence and form.

Leverkusen, in this speculative tale, becomes a canvas for Ten Hag’s art once more. With familiar pieces in place, the transition would be swift, the cohesion more natural. There’s power in shared memory, in tactical shorthand, and a locker room led by trust and mutual respect.

But then, the record scratches. In truth, Ten Hag remains at the helm of Manchester United, not Leverkusen. Alonso has not exited, and no deals have been inked or even discussed for the trio in question. Still, the fantasy rests on a real foundation: Ten Hag’s unwavering loyalty to his former Ajax disciples. Should change come—at United or elsewhere—the reunion may not be far behind.