Erik ten Hag's Old Trafford in-tray is overflowing ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season with the Dutchman charged with reviving the club's fortunes in the months ahead.
Manchester United opted to appoint the 52-year-old as permanent replacement for interim boss Ralf Rangnick and the challenge is clear for the former Ajax head coach.
Building a United squad capable of challenging for major honours is job No.1 for Ten Hag and he will be backed by the club owners in the summer transfer market.
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is a prime target, after the pair worked together at Ajax, but the Netherlands international remains undecided over a potential move.
Frenkie de Jong to Man United: Can Ten Hag get his reunion?
United have been consistently linked with a move for De Jong to bolster their midfield options, with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all leaving on free transfers.
Ten Hag has highlighted his former Ajax man as the perfect addition to the Red Devils' engine room. However, any possible deal still appears to be some distance away, due to a number of roadblocks for United.
De Jong's stance has remain consistent: he would prefer to stay and fight for his place at Camp Nou despite the meteoric rise of Pedri and Gavi and Barca's well-documented financial troubles, which could force them to countenance a sale.
Frenkie de Jong tells ZiggoSport: “I love being at Barcelona! I’d probably sign a six-year contract extension if they’d propose me, yes”. 🇳🇱 #FCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 17, 2022
“Something happening with FC Bayern? No, no.. I am so happy at Barcelona and I would love to play here for as long as possible”. pic.twitter.com/h8S9pSA0Ps
United are undeterred, though, with his position reportedly softening in recent weeks, as the prospect of a key role in Manchester becomes clear for the 25-year-old.
Of course, it's not just De Jong who needs convincing. United and Barca have been in something of a deadlock in recent weeks over a potential transfer fee: while the Catalans are determined not to lose the player for a reduced price despite their documented financial problems, the Red Devils are reluctant to pay over the odds.
Barcelona paid an initial €75 million (£64.3m/$78.5m) to sign De Jong from Ajax in 2019 and they want to recoup as close to that fee as possible. United's opening offer was around £45m (€52m/$55m), according to reports, which was rejected.
Manchester United have reached full agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, after further talks. Package worth €85m. Fee guaranteed around €75m plus add-ons. 🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2022
Personal terms, still the issue to be resolved - as Frenkie’s priority is to stay at Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/aTYnV3cHkP
However, on July 14, reports suggested United had finally reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign De Jong, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
It is claimed that a €85m (£72m) move has been agreed between the two clubs, with around £63m set to be paid up front and a further £10m heading to Barca in various add-ons.
But it seems the ball still remains in De Jong's court with the player yet to agree personal terms, and he was included in Barca's squad for their preseason tour of the USA on July 16, which could complicate matters further.
Frenkie de Jong contract, fee and wages
Part of United's charm offensive to bring De Jong to Old Trafford is focused on making him one of the club's top earners in 2022.
According to reports from the Daily Express, United are willing to offer him a weekly wage of £395,000 (€462,000/$486,000), on a potential five-year contract.
That package would place De Jong second on United's wage list, narrowly behind Cristiano Ronaldo's £400,000 (€467,000/$492,000) weekly pay packet, with the Portuguese veteran expected to leave next summer.
That would represent a major wage increase for De Jong based on his Barcelona weekly income of £262,000 (€307,000/$323,000).
If both sides can agree on a fee it is likely to be based on concessions from the Blaugrana, in the region of £60m (€70m/$73.8m). However, with the club approving an investment in Barca Licensing & Merchandising that will alleviate some of their debt concerns, it could be the club can afford to hold out for a higher sum.
What is Frenkie de Jong's height, age and key details?
- Height: 1.80m
- Age: 25
- Main Position: Central Midfield
- Nationality: Dutch
- Academy Teams: Willem II, RKC, Jong Ajax
- Previous Clubs: Willem II, Jong Ajax Ajax, Barcelona
- Club Appearances: 278 (Willem II 3, Jong Ajax 46, Ajax 89, Barcelona 140)
- Club Goals: 26 (Jong Ajax 8, Ajax 5, Barcelona 13)
- International Appearances: 44
- International Goals: 1
Frenkie de Jong's FIFA Ultimate Team card
De Jong's links to United have increased interest in his FIFA Ultimate Team card with Red Devils fans eager to check out their potential new signing.
The former Ajax man has an overall rating of 87 with impressive numbers for passing and dribbling based on his 2021/22 data.
Key FIFA Ultimate Team Card Stats
- Pace: 81
- Shooting: 69
- Passing: 85
- Dribbling: 88
- Defence: 77
- Physical: 78
What shirt number will Frenkie de Jong wear at Man United?
In six seasons of top-flight football, De Jong has always worn the No.21 jersey.
His decision to don the unusual choice is based on a tribute to his late grandfather, whose birthday was April 21.
He replaced Anwar El Ghazi and Carlos Alena in his previous moves but he could be in line to fill the void of a bigger name at United.
Edinson Cavani's impending departure will free up the No.21, while Pogba's exit opens up the No.6, if Ten Hag and De Jong are looking to make a statement about the 'new United'.
What is Frenkie de Jong's style of play? Pogba replacement
The sense of a clear-out at United is apparent ahead of the new season.
Ten Hag's mission to change the mentality in an underperforming United dressing room is paired with a tactical overhaul of their style.
De Jong's arrival would be a signal of intent as he aims to balance a dysfunctional midfield and raise standards at Old Trafford.
His ability to play probing passes through midfield lines is the key factor he could bring to United's pedestrian central third, after ending 2021/22 with the third-most throughballs among La Liga players, with a 90% pass completion rate across domestic action.
In comparison to United's in 2021/22, based on players completing 90 minutes of Premier League action 25+ times, no player matched De Jong's rate, with Scott McTominay the closest midfielder (85%).
How will Frenkie de Jong fit into Man United's starting XI?
For Ten Hag and De Jong to hit the heights of their Ajax days will take some time at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick opted for two holding midfielders, from Matic, Fred, McTominay and on occasion Pogba, with Bruno Fernandes deployed in an advanced role.
De Jong's Barcelona role sees him on the left of a narrow three, anchored by Sergio Busquets, and partnered by the brilliant Pedri.
Changing the complexion of United's midfield to get the best from De Jong requires Fred or McTominay taking on more positional responsibility, and Fernandes dropping slightly deeper.
Frenkie de Jong's game by numbers vs. Belgium:
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 3, 2022
100% take-ons completed (2/2)
100% long ball accuracy (3/3)
100% aerial duels won (3/3)
93 touches (most)
92% pass accuracy
82 passes (most)
4 chances created
3 clearances
2 interceptions
2 fouls won
1 tackle made
1 assist
Wow. pic.twitter.com/lEbeWAkV8I
De Jong played in a defensive midfield two to great effect at Ajax, but if Ten Hag opts for that, he will be tasked as the link to Fernandes, and on into Ronaldo and others in attack.
Pogba's lack of defensive instincts would be guarded against by De Jong, as he possesses a more rounded midfield portfolio, but without a high quality No.6 (Busquets), Ten Hag's early evolution could see the Ajax version rather than the Barcelona one in 2022.
