Ten Hag To Begin United Rebuild With De Jong Deal

Even before Erik Ten Hag was officially unveiled as Manchester United’s new manager for the 2022/23 season, people were suggesting he would need to recruit well if he was to get the Old Trafford outfit moving in the right direction again. And, soon after securing the Eredivisie title with current club Ajax, it appears the Dutchman could turn to a familiar face to get work at United underway.

Frenkie de Jong, 25, who currently plies his trade with La Liga giants Barcelona, is rumoured to be top of Ten Hag’s wish list. The midfielder, who made fifty-nine appearances for the new Manchester United boss at Ajax, swapped the Netherlands for Spain in 2019. And while de Jong has made thirty appearances in La Liga this season, it’s felt that his manager Xavi is looking to balance the books as he continues to mould his squad, opening the door for a deal worth around seventy million pounds to be struck with United.

Central midfield, more so in a defensive and control sense, has been a problematic area for United for a long while. There is a distinct lack of quality in the department, and it’s a far cry away from when the club could call on the likes of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. Players such as Scott McTominay and Fred have given their best, but Ten Hag has highlighted a need for quality additions in the middle of the park. And, with Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata already confirmed as leaving, the opportunity to add to the position is there.

It is, however, unlikely that de Jong’s arrival will be the only one to arrive for the central midfield department, especially if Paul Pogba also leaves as expected. United would be down to the bare bones, with McTominay, Fred and Bruno Fernandes the only recognised centre mids, so there could be a need to add de Jong and potentially one or two more, especially if they plan to compete on multiple fronts next season.

Other midfielders who have been linked with a move to Old Trafford of late include Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, one of world football’s hottest young talents, Leeds talisman Kalvin Phillips and Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. Who comes in will potentially count on what happens with Pogba and how much the United hierarchy give their new man to spend in his first transfer window.

United will, of course, be in the market to strengthen multiple other positions. Right back, centre back and left back are all areas in need of work. And, there could be a need to add a further two high-quality strikers as well. While there are suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo is keen on extending his stay, Edinson Cavani is heading for the exit, and Mason Greenwood remains unavailable. There are also question marks over the quality of Marcus Rashford, who could also find himself surplus to requirements.