Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds fans after the match
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is back on Manchester United’s radar ahead of the summer, according to talkSPORT.
The Lowdown: Old Trafford visit
De Jong, who was heavily linked with a move to the red side of Manchester last summer, recently took in Old Trafford for the first time.
The Dutch midfielder starred in a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League, where he was the best-rated player from either side, as per SofaScore. He completed 100% of his five attempted dribbles and won 13 of his 16 duels, and that display appears to have caught the eye of United chiefs once more.
The Latest: Transfer update
TalkSPORT provided an update on De Jong and United in the last 24 hours, claiming that a move is ‘firmly back on’.
Erik ten Hag has made the midfielder ‘one of United’s top summer targets’ and hopes that ‘sampling the Old Trafford feel-good factor’ can persuade him to join.
The Verdict: Fingers crossed
De Jong showed his quality at Old Trafford last month, and it’s clear to see that he would be a brilliant addition heading into Ten Hag’s second season.
United have been left with limited options in midfield recently due to injuries to Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay and a three-match ban for Casemiro.
Therefore, a new midfielder could be beneficial in the summer, especially with Marcel Sabitzer only on loan, with De Jong, called ‘extraordinary‘ by his manager Xavi in the past, a long-term target.
De Jong could provide the right balance alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with all three players averaging an impressive WhoScored match rating of more than 7/10 so far this season.
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