Ten Hag's thwarted attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong

In an Old Trafford office, Erik ten Hag recalled the summer of 2022 while describing the scene of a meeting with Richard Arnold and John Murtough, trying to convince Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United.

The goal of strengthening the midfield

In an interview granted to The Athletic, the Dutch coach admitted that the interior of Barça was his first choice to reinforce the midfield of the ‘red devils’. Ten Hag explained that he wanted De Jong as his playmaker, a key piece to build the team both that year and for the future.

The player, who is still in the final phase of his recovery from a knee injury, would have been crucial, according to the coach, to shape the football project he wanted to develop at Manchester United.

However, the process dragged on for several weeks and the signing never materialised. “It could have been very important… but we didn’t achieve it,” Ten Hag noted, recalling the failure of the attempt.

The coach also clarified his role in the talks, stating that he organised meetings in which the mentioned executives participated to persuade the player.

Currently, Ten Hag manages FC Twente, but he continues to recall the quality of De Jong, whom he met during the Ajax period and who, according to him, would have been essential for the project of the English club.