Manchester United’s summer activity thus far has pivoted around a certain Dutchman; not their new manager but one of his finest former players: Frenkie De Jong. Calls have been widespread for midfield reinforcement with the regular double pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred ever criticised and significant departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic deteriorating the depth and quality of United’s engine room. There has seemingly been lots of groundwork put in to offset the loss of such players but the ever elusive club target Declan Rice is, by all accounts, sticking with West Ham United as their new permanent captain this summer. Erik ten Hag’s arrival at the helm has certainly unlocked an unexpected opportunity for United to recruit his countryman De Jong, a player whom they chose not to sign at academy level to the frustration of former head of youth recruitment Derek Langley in a 2018 interview. Now, United can get their man.
Frenkie de Jong’s career path seemed Cruijffian but in a similar way to Lionel Messi, his time at the Nou Camp will be cut short owing to Barcelona’s financial predicament. A prestigious club fashioned from on-field glory and entertaining football has been so poorly treated away from the pitch, falling into a demise that has finally caught up with them. Sound familiar? United and Barca have long been European rivals but the piteous state of both clubs behind the scenes has lead to an exhaustive saga of penny pinching from either side for the transfer of Frenkie de Jong. United, as CEO Richard Arnold was recorded putting it, have ‘burned through cash’ and are determined not to do that again. Arnold is determined not to make the same mistakes as his infamous predecessor Ed Woodward. Various figures will emerge from Spain and England regarding the final fee for De Jong as both clubs look to present themselves as winners from the negotiating table, but it is sure that some use of instalments, add-ons or perhaps future sale clauses will be inserted into the final agreement. However the final numbers shape up, both clubs required this transfer to happen for their short-term and long-term futures. United knew that Barcelona needed the money but Barcelona equally knew that United needed De Jong for Erik ten Hag’s rebuild.
Ten Hag’s Ajax team was somewhat sacred for the football purist. A well balanced side with a plethora of useful options within the squad: rejuvenated players bought when their stocks were low, upcoming stars of world football from the academy and respected technicians who meticulously followed the instructions of their manager. And to top it all off, an underdog Champions League run coupled with a domestic double. United will be hoping that Erik ten Hag can emulate this success in Manchester. But at the centre of that team was a 21 year old Frenkie de Jong. He had the capacity to bridge the offensive and defensive departments of the team, in build up, transition, and out of possession. He regularly had the most touches in matches played in 52 games for Ajax during the season. De Jong was the cornerstone for Ten Hag’s team and it seems likely that he will emulate the role his younger self had when he makes the switch to Manchester, a stark contrast to the situation at Barcelona. The Dutch international is a versatile midfielder and can play the game in a variety of ways, but in recent years it is only when playing for his country that he has been at his very best. In Spain, he has been utilised as a traditional number 8 with Barcelona keen to harness De Jong’s ability to progressively carry the ball rather than his skills in dictating play. Whilst De Jong is an exceptional ball carrier, his real forte in controlling games was not a major requirement at Barcelona due to this being a similar characteristic of many of their La Maisa born midfielders. This is in stark contrast to the red half of Manchester where a player in this mould has not been seen since Michael Carrick hung up his boots. A lack of confidence in possession in the middle of the park and a thus a predictable approach down the left wing has been the tone of an unbalanced United squad who haven’t made a signing in this area since 2018. De Jong’s qualities in determination for touches, control and progression in the middle of the park will be greatly welcome at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s use of De Jong will likely see him in the same position he played for Ajax. He will not require the ‘freedom’ that Paul Pogba required (and was never consistently afforded) because the team will be genuinely built around him. Ex-interim manager Ralf Rangnick clamoured for ‘control’ and bemoaned the lack of ability United had to run proceedings during matches. Simply put, the personnel were not there. Rangnick and Ten Hag reportedly didn’t see eye to eye on how to fix United but something they will have agreed on was that signing a midfielder capable of providing that control was an absolute necessity. De Jong is the premium option; someone who seemed to be nothing but a dream, the stereotypical link between a new manager and his most famed former player. But that dream seems to be a reality, one that can hopefully be realised in Manchester United’s theatre. Bringing control of games back to a stadium where opponents regularly arrived expecting to have few touches in the era of Scholes, Carrick and Giggs is an absolute if United are to return to those days. There have been good players at United since, but they simply haven’t had a player like those until now. This is a signing which symbolises the start of a new era. United want it to be the first signing they make so that they can use it to make a statement. Erik ten Hag’s reunion with Frenkie de Jong in Manchester. Who would’ve seen that coming a year ago?
We’ll written, class from you as always
Very well written