Erik ten Hag explains Manchester United's midfield transfer strategy amid Frenkie de Jong pursuit

Erik ten Hag has suggested Manchester United are continuing their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong due to his ability to operate as a holding midfielder.

United are approaching an 11th week of discussions to sign De Jong, 25, from Barcelona but the Dutchman was included in their pre-season tour squad and flew to the United States at the weekend.

United earmarked midfield as a priority area to reinforce last year and originally targeted a defensive midfielder, with a deal for Kalvin Phillips worked on before the end of last season.

Also read: Every word of Ten Hag's Q&A

However, Ten Hag's appointment has prompted a shift in strategy as he would prefer to sign a deep-lying controlling midfielder. Barcelona want to sell De Jong but the Netherlands international said in May, "I prefer to stay."

De Jong came to prominence under Ten Hag at Ajax, where they won the Eredivisie title and Dutch cup in 2018-19, a season the club reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 22 years.

Ten Hag is believed to have reached out to De Jong and United are not prepared to walk away from a deal as they are emboldened by their manager's working relationship with De Jong.

Although senior United sources have suggested there are back-up options to De Jong, Ten Hag indicated he would develop an internal player into a holding midfielder if De Jong stays at Barcelona.

"We are looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position," Ten Hag clarified, "but it has to be the right one.

"There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position.

"I will not react on a certain player. We need the right