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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains a huge admirer of Frenkie de Jong and insists the Barcelona star would strengthen any team in world football.
De Jong became United’s top transfer target last summer as the club pursued a deal to reunite the midfielder with ten Hag at Old Trafford following their success together at Ajax.
No deal was struck however with United eventually turning their attention to Casemiro, signing the Brazil international from Real Madrid in August.
De Jong meanwhile, whose future at the Camp Nou was uncertain in the summer, has played a key role under Xavi this season and is expected to line up against ten Hag and United in their Europa League play-off on Thursday.
United were unsuccessful in the summer during complicated negotiations with the La Liga leaders while it was also thought de Jong’s preference was to remain in Barcelona.
Interest from Manchester remains with ten Hag making no secret of how highly he rates the Netherlands international.
‘I think the class of 2019 [at Ajax] was a team that had a lot of fascination and he brought a lot of that fascination,’ ten Hag told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s first leg clash.
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‘I think he has developed in the years after here in Spain, he became even better.
‘He is a fantastic player playing out from the back, you always have time so it was a pleasure to work with him.’
Ten Hag was quizzed by a Spanish reporter on de Jong later in the press conference, adding: ‘Frenkie is an incredibly good player and for every club in the world he will strengthen the squad because he has unique quality. so if you can get him in your squad your team will be stronger.’
While United were determined to sign de Jong, Xavi this week played down how close he was to leaving Barcelona.
‘I think he was really clear to me: he wanted to stay with us. So there was no doubt,’ Xavi told his own press conference this week.
‘Now he’s our player, I’m really happy and satisfied with his performances, his leadership. He’s in a very good moment, like all the team. I think Frenkie is enjoying on the pitch and this is the most important thing.’
Source:Metro