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Manchester United appear to be devoting the majority of their time, effort and resources to trying to persuade Frenkie de Jong to join the Red Devils from FC Barcelona this summer.

Efforts to convince Barcelona to sell and the Netherlands international to leave have so far failed to deliver United's desired outcome. Whilst talks are ongoing, De Jong hardly inspired confidence when he addressed rumours earlier this month.

Asked what he made of United's intense interest, the ex-Ajax midfielder explained: "You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player but I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and I feel fine there, so no news."

The comments would have made for unwelcome reading from a United viewpoint, but it also may offer the chance for the club's fans and hierarchy alike to look at the rest of the summer transfer window with some perspective. As talented as De Jong is, there is the glaring issue that he doesn't actually solve United's most obvious issue.

Defensive midfield has long been an area where many have urged United to strengthen. Plenty of players from other clubs have long been linked with that role in the Red Devils midfield, from Declan Rice to Kalvin Phillips - yet those rumours have gone quiet since the current window opened earlier this month.

This is largely due