There is a parallel Premier League at the moment where Manchester United are playing with Frenkie de Jong as their holding midfielder rather than Casemiro, a scenario Erik ten Hag wanted when he took up his post in the summer.
The Dutchman identified De Jong as his priority target for his ability to connect the game from defence to midfield and attack, carrying the ball forward and getting United on the front foot.
But aside from his unwillingness to actually swap Barcelona for Manchester, there were also concerns about his ability to play as a defensive midfielder in the Premier League.
