Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly sees Frenkie de Jong as the solution to the club’s lack of midfield creativity.
It has been suggested that the Dutchman is set to become the Red Devils’ first arrival of the summer – and indeed of compatriot Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford. United have been linked with the Barcelona star for some time, although it remains to be seen whether they will be able to successfully negotiate a deal with the Catalan giants.
The Red Devils have seen their first offer of £60million turned down by Barca. Despite that knock-back, United knew that the Catalans were likely to reject the offer but they are ready to return with an improved bid as Ten Hag focuses on making De Jong his first signing as United boss.
Should he manage to do that, then the Dutchman has a very specific remit for De Jong to fill. According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag has identified a lack of creativity in midfield as a significant weakness in the current squad.
There has, of course, already been an overhaul in the centre of the park for United this summer. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have left Old Trafford for pastures new, leaving Scott McTominay, Fred and Bruno Fernandes as the club’s midfield options heading into the 2022/23 season.
Whilst Fernandes has continued to impress since his switch from Sporting Lisbon, McTominay and Fred have struggled to really display consistent attacking intent to add to their defensive duties, with just 13 goal contributions between them last season – Fred accounting for 10 of those.
Donny van de Beek could play more of a part as he returns to the club following a brief spell with Everton, having thrived under Ten Hag during the pair’s successful stint together with Dutch side Ajax. Nevertheless, De Jong would almost certainly better those options, having consistently impressed with the Eredivisie side and with Barcelona.
The 25-year-old scored four goals and notched five assists for the Catalan giants last term. His potential boss, Ten Hag, has previously suggested that his composure and passing ability are the better aspects of his game – features that would no doubt benefit United.
“He is always calm and always has the solution,” Ten Hag told UEFA of De Jong in 2019. “He scans so well that he always knows how to go forward. You can hardly put him under pressure – that is such a great gift.”
