Frenkie de Jong is Erik ten Hag's priority target this summer. Manchester United have needed reinforcements in midfield for years and with the departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic, they are in even more need of additions.
Although De Jong is the main target, most fans believe that just securing the Dutchman's signature will not be enough to solve their midfield problems. Scott McTominay played as a defensive midfielder at times last season with limited success, and with Matic's departure, United now have no natural number sixes at the club.
And once you get past the midfield, United still have problems in defence and up front that they will need to solve in order to give Ten Hag the best chance of success. The issue is that United, for better or for worse, are still stuck trying to negotiate a deal for De Jong.
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Former United defender Gary Neville has stated that he is worried about the way the current transfer window is going. He wrote on Twitter: "I know early in the window but it’s worrying that United are struggling to get business done.
"The others seem set and ready yet United can’t get moving. ETH needs his group together asap to mould them. Bringing them in late will only make it harder for him! [Fingers crossed] it happens soon!"
United fans share Neville's concerns. There have been many occasions in past windows where the club have focused on one signing for an extended period. This has led to them missing out on other possible signings, with United ultimately forced to pay over the odds for their original target as panic sets in.
While it is understandable that United are looking to negotiate the best fee for De Jong given their limited budget, the fans will still be frustrated given the fact other clubs are already well under way with their own business. Neville also raised a valid point that with pre-season just around the corner, it would be beneficial for United's summer signings to be through the door so they can begin to train with their new teammates and gel as a unit.
It's a catch-22 situation. If United pay the money Barcelona are demanding they will have less to spend on other areas, but if they delay any longer, the signings they were planning to make in other areas may be lost. This is the first real test of a new-look United and Ten Hag needs to know when is the best time to walk away from the De Jong talks to ensure Neville's nightmare doesn't continue.
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