Frenkie de Jong: Man Utd finally have a world-class midfielder
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 12 May 2022 12:46 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for the transfer of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports from Spain.
The 25-year-old may have to leave the Catalan club due to their financial situation, and he seems to be the more sellable asset, considering his performances and value to the club.
Should he move to Old Trafford, he will bring a host of qualities to a team that’s severely lacking in midfield and is certainly in need of improvement in that area.
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What will Frenkie de Jong bring to Manchester United?
For starters, he will be playing under Erik ten Hag, who is joining Manchester United this summer and De Jong enjoyed his best football under the coach when they were together at Ajax.
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It was Ten Hag that gave him a consistent run of fixtures, and De Jong was a crucial part of the team that reached the Champions League semi-final of 2019.
His performances in that Champions League run were special too: he was impressive in away fixtures against Real Madrid and Juventus, showing composure against some of the world’s best and controlling the midfield against both.
Although it took some time for Ten Hag to fine the perfect place for De Jong in his team, once he did, he was an unique cog in the Ajax machine.
De Jong wouldn’t be the defensive midfielder that the Red Devils have needed; instead, he is likely to be Paul Pogba’s replacement, as the Frenchman is set to depart after six years at the club.
When Frenkie de Jong burst onto the #UCL scene and started flooring Real Madrid midfielders at the Bernabeu 🫢😍
The Dutchman turns 25 today! 🎉
Might we see him reunited with Erik ten Hag this summer? 👀pic.twitter.com/shFYSSpo8N— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 12, 2022
The Dutch international has the ability to control the speed in midfield and drive the ball forward – something United have struggled to do over the course of the season – and he could pair well with the team’s other stars.
One thing is certain: Manchester United will have to add in a defensive midfielder to support him – without that, De Jong’s talents are wasted.
At Ajax, he had Lasse Schone to support him, which is why he was so comfortable in that side; at Barcelona, it has mostly been Sergio Busquets – Manchester United need someone like that to back up De Jong.
Should they do that, then there’s no denying De Jong can excel at the club; he is a special player, one who is yet to enter his prime years and seeing that at Old Trafford could be great to witness.
