Ninety-two days and counting. That is exactly how long it has been since Manchester United first registered their interest in signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.
It has turned out to be a transfer saga that has possibly eclipsed every other saga that United have ever found themselves embroiled in during their rich and colourful history. With three weeks to go until the transfer window closes, everyone is desperate to hear the end of it, whether it be by De Jong sealing a move to Old Trafford, joining Chelsea, or staying at Camp Nou.
The saga has been the narrative of United's summer, with it dominating just about every gossip column that has needed filling. But with the deadline looming, United's interest in Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Lazio ace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic suggests that the club may be preparing to throw in the towel and focus on alternative options.
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United's interest in both Rabiot and Milinkovic-Savic has been greeted with a mixed reaction, with supporters believing that both players would be a downgrade on De Jong, even though the trio each offer very different qualities. One thing they do have in common, however, is that none of them are out-and-out defensive-midfielders who will fly into challenges and be no-nonsense tacklers.
All are capable of dropping deep and screening the back-four if required to, but none of them are seasoned defensive-midfielders - the ingredient that is missing most from Erik ten Hag's pool of options. Sunday's opening day defeat to Brighton, which saw Scott McTominay and Fred start alongside each other, highlighted United's desperate need for a midfielder capable of doing the dirty side of the game and offering a sense of aggression in the middle of the pitch. United simply cannot continue with Fred and McTominay in tandem.
While it is important to remember that Ten Hag, right from the outset of his premiership, has indicated how he wants United to control matches and take the game to the opposition, making it clear why he wants someone of De Jong's ilk so much, his side needs a defensive-minded player in midfield. It is a position that has needed strengthening for several years and just about everyone who is either a Match of the Day addict or Sky Sports subscription holder could tell you that.
It is why United, should they express an ounce of seriousness in the weeks that remain in this transfer window, should pay close attention to Leicester City midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi. While he is not without his injury issues, which might put United off, he is, when fit and firing, one of the best defensive-midfielders that the Premier League has to offer.
He has gone from strength to strength since joining the Foxes from Belgian outfit Genk back in 2017, becoming a key figure in the success Leicester have, by and large, enjoyed over the last few seasons. The midfielder, who started Sunday's 2-2 draw with Brentford, loves nothing more than robbing the opposition of possession, breaking up play and being a nuisance.
His high energy levels also make him difficult to deal with, as do his strength and aggression. He is a robust operator and would add a sense of steel and grit to United's midfield. At the age of 25, he is also the right age for a player that United could bring in, develop and benefit from for several years. He is the sort of signing that would make perfect sense for the journey the Reds want to go on under Ten Hag.
Making 19 Premier League appearances last season, the Nigerian international, who missed Leicester's last 12 league matches last term because of a knee injury, averaged 3.2 tackles, 2.2 interceptions, 2.7 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game. By comparison, Fred averaged 2.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 0.7 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game. The difference is telling.
What's all the more impressive, Ndidi's ratings in each of the aforementioned categories also ranked higher than those of N'Golo Kante and Yves Bissouma last season, both of whom are considered as two of the best defensive-midfielders in the business.
Ndidi would provide United with the grit and steel they are sorely lacking in midfield, meaning he could be a viable alternative to De Jong to fill a gap that desperately needs filling as a priority. Leicester, of course, are not to be taken lightly when trying to wrestle away one of their star players, but the attraction of European football could sway the Nigerian's thinking.
United still need a progressive ball carrier - someone of De Jong's mould - but you could argue that adding defensive robustness is a bigger priority. It is a problem that must be fixed.
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