Man Utd: £63m star 'central to Ten Hag's plan' at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will likely still see Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong as ‘central’ to how he wants his side to play going forward, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Ten Hag was allowed to significantly bolster his side during the summer transfer window, splashing over £200 million on new recruits at Old Trafford, but missed out on one of his top targets.

What is the latest on De Jong?

The 25-year-old has played regularly under Xavi at the Camp Nou this season after remaining with Barcelona beyond the summer deadline, playing in all eight of their matches across all competitions.

But it appeared he was destined to join United over the summer, with the Red Devils even reportedly agreeing a £63 million fee for his services back in July.

However, a dispute over the player’s wages in Catalunya complicated the situation further, while De Jong was not eager to join a team not playing in the Champions League.

Chelsea entered the race for the player but also failed in their pursuit, leaving De Jong as a Barcelona player.

United did bolster their midfield options before the deadline, bringing in Christian Eriksen on a free transfer as well as Casemiro from Real Madrid.

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What has Sheth said on De Jong?

Sheth understands that Ten Hag still views his former Ajax student as central to what he wants to achieve at Old Trafford.

The Sky Sports reporter says that completing deals for other midfielders over the summer does not necessarily mean they have moved on from De Jong.

Sheth told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think it necessarily means that Frenkie de Jong is no longer wanted by Manchester United simply because they brought in Eriksen and Casemiro. He is still the kind of player, and a unique kind of player, that Erik ten Hag sees as being really central to what he wants to do at United.”

Do United stand a chance?

De Jong appeared to be unwilling to swap the Camp Nou for Old Trafford in the summer, which doesn’t bode well for Ten Hag.

But reports in the summer indicated that, if he were to leave, he would want to move to a club playing in the Champions League.

Barcelona appeared willing to sell the 19-goal star this summer so they may well be ready to talk again should United qualify for Europe’s top competition.

That has to remain their top priority for now.