Man United could finally complete seven-year transfer mission after first rejection

The year is 2018. Jose Mourinho is the Manchester United manager, Wayne Rooney plays for Everton again, Alexis Sanchez has just finished playing 'Glory Glory Man United' on the piano after signing from Arsenal, Romelu Lukaku is still at Old Trafford, as is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It is also the club's first of five consecutive trophyless years after winning the previous season's Europa League. It was during said final in Stockholm, as United players prepared to run on the pitch in celebration with a two-goal lead over opponents Ajax, their head coach Peter Bosz made his third and final substitution.

On came the floppy-haired Frenkie de Jong, a dozen days after turning 20. He had not even been born the last time Ajax played in a European final.

United, though, were well aware of the player by then. They had already turned down De Jong, against the recommendation of their then-head of youth recruitment, Derek Langley.

As the Manchester Evening News reported the following year, United had the chance to sign the midfielder and his teammate Matthijs de Ligt before they made their first-team debuts for Ajax in 2016. Almost a decade on, could they be reunited at Old Trafford this summer?

Midfield is a priority position the club are targeting. Uncertainty still surrounds the future of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen is due to leave when his contract expires at the end of June, and Kobbie Mainoo has turned down the opening offer of a new deal from United during negotiations.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are reportedly open to selling De Jong should the Netherlands international not extend his stay in Catalonia before next season begins.

Diario AS claims the club prioritises renewing terms with the midfielder, whose current contract expires at