How Manchester United midfield rebuild can start with Frenkie de Jong transfer

In Ajax's glorious run to the brink of a Champions League final in Erik ten Hag's first season in charge, Frenkie de Jong didn't register a single goal or assist, but might well have been the outstanding player in that most unexpected journey.

Ajax were seconds away from facing Liverpool in the final, until Tottenham completed a remarkable comeback in Amsterdam, signalling the end of Ten Hag's first great Ajax side. De Jong had already agreed a move to Barcelona and Matthijs de Ligt moved to Juventus.

Those two homegrown products starred in a stunning 12-game run, with De Jong starting 11 of them and only missing the first group game with Bayern Munich due to injury. The campaign would end with his stats column empty, but De Jong was about more than the goals and assists. He was the pass master for Ajax, setting the tempo and the rhythm for Ten Hag's side.

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Ten Hag was fortunate to inherit a player of De Jong's ability at Ajax, but as he contemplates a rebuild at Manchester United there is nobody who can offer the same kind of role. United lack control in the centre of the pitch.

United are prioritising signings in midfield and attack this summer and, while a holding midfielder is top of the agenda, for Ten Hag that role ideally needs to be combined with someone who can dictate play and pass the ball. Fred and Scott McTominay have their strengths but neither would be classed as an elite passer, while Bruno Fernandes takes a more adventurous approach with the ball.

De Jong is an ideal fit to fill that role and he played as part of a three-man midfield with Lasse Schone and Donny van de Beek in Ajax's 2018/19 season, with Van de Beek