So, Frenkie de Jong will play at Old Trafford after all. Erik ten Hag’s top summer target will finally be arriving in Manchester in March, just not in the way the Reds boss envisaged.
Manchester United’s punishment for failing to top their Europa League group is a play-off trip to Champions League failures Barcelona - not that fans will mind rocking up at the Nou Camp. United will visit Spain first in February ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford the following month.
This will present the opportunity for De Jong to experience the Theatre of Dreams for the first time in his career, a place he could have called home. Frustrating negotiations over the summer, coupled with his desire to stay at Barcelona, led to United pivoting towards Madrid and picking up Casemiro from Real instead.
