Man Utd director John Murtough attends Tottenham vs Arsenal as Erik ten Hag contacts Frenkie de Jong

Manchester United football director John Murtough attended Tottenham's 3-0 victory over Arsenal on Thursday night as United's recruitment plans accelerate.

Murtough met incoming manager Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam on Thursday and then returned to England to attend additional recruitment meetings.

United are weighing up a possible deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and are aiming to sign another midfielder, at least one forward and a centre-back. Moves for a full-back and a goalkeeper are also under consideration, depending on outgoings.

READ MORE: United weighing up move for De Jong

Although United have one more game this season at Crystal Palace, senior club figures are already keen to draw a line under a disastrous campaign and place the emphasis on next season. Murtough was in attendance for United's FA Youth Cup final victory over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Ten Hag is understood to have reached out to De Jong's agent, Ali Dursun, to gauge whether De Jong would be receptive to joining United. Dursun has also represented Donny van de Beek since October.

De Jong, 25, is contracted to Barcelona until 2026 but the financial disarray at the club could lead to his departure this summer. Manchester City were again linked with De Jong last week, having attempted to sign him in 2019.

Barcelona signed De Jong for £65million three years ago and, despite their debt of £1.2bn, would be reluctant to take a loss on a mid-20s international who came through the Ajax academy. De Jong is expected to start for the Netherlands at the World Cup

United have been working on a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips separate to De Jong. Leeds have been hopeful of keeping Phillips for one