Mizgan Masani
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen urges Erik ten Hag to do everything to sign Frenkie de Jong
Rene Meulensteen, a former Manchester United coach, has suggested the Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag to do everything to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
We all know United were interested in de Jong last summer in a saga that dominated the transfer window. Eventually, the Dutch international stayed and went on to win La Liga with Xavi’s team.
A week ago, Daily Express reported that United will restart their pursuit of the 26-year-old in the coming summer window.
Meulensteen talks about the team’s need for a midfielder with a suggestion that they should reignite their interest in de Jong. Here’s what he said (h/t Manchester United Official Scandinavian Supporters Club, via Metro):
“They need a really good midfield player.
“Yes, they’ve got Casemiro in there. You’ve got Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes – a lot of experience, a lot of qualities – but there’s also a little bit of a vulnerability because their mindsets are predominantly in going forward.
“I would 100% do everything to get De Jong. He’s got energy, he’s got legs, he’s tactically very, very good in the build-up.”
Meulensteen was a coach when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of the team. He knows a thing or two about what players can make a positive difference to the side.
De Jong has worked with ten Hag at Ajax before in a spell that brought attention to him before his move to Barcelona.
The Dutch international has the ability to carry the ball forward, be a point of build-up from midfield, is accurate in passing, and read the game well.
Having missed out on him last summer, trying again this time may sound like a broken record, but United’s midfield could take a massive upgrade by having the 26-year-old in their squad. With Fred expected to be sold, there is a gap to be filled anyway.
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The hope is that with the Red Devils more or less set to play Champions League football next season, de Jong could be attracted by that along with the possibility to reunite with ten Hag.
