Manchester United failed in their attempts to sign Frenkie de Jong despite making a breakthrough in the deal, with Barcelona's hopes of a swap deal also not coming to fruition.
Erik ten Hag oversaw a busy summer transfer window, which saw six incomings at Old Trafford as the arrivals of Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka followed those of Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen. Yet he was unable to be reunited with his former Ajax star, De Jong.
Ten Hag coached the midfielder in Amsterdam and held a phone call this summer to convince the player that he should join his project at Old Trafford. United had an initial transfer fee agreed with Barca valued at £56.2million to sign the midfielder. Reports had claimed the player has already cleared out his locker in Spain, but he ultimately remained at the Camp Nou.
