Man Utd: 230-game star the 'number one priority' at Old Trafford | OneFootball

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·22 June 2022

Man Utd: 230-game star the 'number one priority' at Old Trafford

Article image:Man Utd: 230-game star the 'number one priority' at Old Trafford

Manchester United‘s priority this summer is signing a midfielder, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Ajax winger Antony recently, but Sheth says their focus right now is on bringing in Frenkie de Jong to strengthen the side in the middle of the park.


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Article image:Man Utd: 230-game star the 'number one priority' at Old Trafford

What is the latest transfer news involving United?

The Sun recently reported that United are close to signing Antony from Ajax in a £40m deal.

The Brazilian is obviously a player Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag knows well, featuring 32 times under the Dutchman last season.

Someone else who Ten Hag is very familiar with is De Jong, who continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.

However, according to The Telegraph, United and Barcelona are £17m apart in their valuations of De Jong, with the Spanish side wanting around £73m for the player with 230 senior appearances.

Barca agree De Jong transfer!? Hear more on The Football Terrace

What has Sheth said about United’s transfer plans?

While there has been speculation about United signing Antony, Sheth has told GIVEMESPORT that improving the Premier League outfit’s midfield remains Ten Hag’s priority.

Speaking to GMS, the Sky Sports reporter said: “With regard to incomings, the information I’ve been told, the midfield position is the number one priority, and the number one target is the much-publicised Barcelona and Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong.”

Should signing a midfielder be the priority for United this summer?

Yes. The engine room has been a problem for United in recent years, with Scott McTominay and Fred often criticised for how they perform as a midfield pairing.

“If you’re going to get your best, most creative players who can score goals on the ball, then the two in midfield have to have some kind of possession and some kind of control, but the quality was missing from them two,” United legend Paul Scholes told Premier League Productions (via Manchester Evening News) a couple of years ago when discussing McTominay and Fred after a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

“They were playing as centre-halves, not central midfield players,” he then went on to add.

As well as the above, United have just watched Nemanja Matic leave for AS Roma, while Paul Pogba is set to follow him to Italy by joining Juventus for a second time, so signing a new midfielder this summer definitely has to be on the top of Ten Hag’s to-do list.

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