Erik ten Hag wanted to make Frenkie de Jong his first signing as Manchester United manager when the Dutchman was appointed at Old Trafford last year.
Ten Hag worked with De Jong at Ajax for two years, helping mould the Netherlands international into one of the most sought after midfielders in world football. The pair helped Ajax reach their first Champions League semi-final in over two decades in 2019, with De Jong voted as the competition’s best performing player in his position.
It was little wonder, then, that Ten Hag planned to sign De Jong from Barcelona. The Red Devils agreed a £63millon fee with the La Liga side, but the 25-year-old put paid to a reunion as he was unconvinced of a move to United, who had just missed out on Champions League qualification in an underwhelming season which ended with Ralf Rangnick in charge.
