Ten Hag reveals why Dutch stars De Jong and Brobbey never reached United

Erik ten Hag, the former Ajax boss turned Manchester United manager, contrasts the club’s ambition to sign Dutch talent with the reality that both Frenkie De Jong and Brian Brobbey never set foot at Old Trafford. He says he fought for each player, yet negotiations and external obstacles kept them out.

Targeting De Jong’s midfield mastery

Ten Hag identifies De Jong, the Netherlands international he coached at Ajax, as his first‑choice midfielder for United. He explains that United needed a “ball‑winning centre‑back and a high‑pressing controller” to fit the dynamic, attacking identity he wanted to instil. Despite weeks of talks, De Jong ultimately rejected a Premier League move.

“Everyone thinks I handle the financial side, but that’s never been the case,” Ten Hag tells The Athletic. “I did everything I could to persuade him – he could have been crucial in building the team now and in the future, but we failed.”

Failed bids for Brobbey and the striker dilemma

United also pursued Brian Brobbey as a backup to Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2022. Ten Hag admits the club was not initially convinced, but later won the player over – only to lose him to another process.

On the striker front, Ten Hag says he only needed “one player” and that was Harry Kane. He fought for Kane, heard positive signals, but the board concluded the deal could not be funded, and Kane eventually left for Bayern Munich for €110 million.

West Ham United’s refusal to release Declan Rice forced United to look elsewhere for a midfield anchor, further complicating Ten Hag’s recruitment plan.

Reflecting on the outcomes, Ten Hag notes United ultimately signed four or five young prospects with potential, but they lack the leadership of established stars like Rice, Kane or Bruno Fernandes.

He adds that a later attempt to bring in Danny Welbeck never materialised, as United never issued an official offer.