Frenkie de Jong was the one that got away for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. The failed attempt to sign De Jong in the summer of 2022, following a garishly public three-month pursuit, left Ten Hag and United needing to hatch alternative transfer plans.
In the end, they snapped-up Casemiro for £60million from Real Madrid and the Brazil powerhouse made an instant impact in their troubled engine room.
Ten Hag knows better than anyone what De Jong would have brought to the table. However, the Barcelona man was off-limits and decided to stay put at the Camp Nou, with United then going on to make five midfield signings in little over a year after being side-stepped by their then-top target. ALSO READ: Mainoo and Garnacho aren't the only kids who deserve a chance ALSO READ: United now have the right players to establish their new identity "He's a fantastic player and has become even better," said Ten Hag when - as fate would have it - he was actually reunited with De Jong last season when United were pitted against Barcelona in the Europa League play-offs. "It was a pleasure working with him.
He would strengthen any squad in the world. He's got a unique quality." Ten Hag shaped his Ajax side around De Jong and, given his impact on that team, it was little wonder why he tried so hard to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford.