Man Utd hero fires warning to Erik ten Hag over Frenkie de Jong transfer

Teddy Sheringham believes Manchester United need ‘five or six’ new signings this summer but has warned Erik ten Hag over his pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Ten Hag made the decision to end his successful spell with Ajax and sign a three-year deal at United, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season.

Given United’s struggles in recent years, Ten Hag is expected to spend around £100m on new players this summer and wants a new forward, midfielder and two defenders to arrive through the doors at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has identified his former Ajax player De Jong as a top target, with United currently in talks with Barcelona over a deal for the Netherlands international.

De Jong has established himself as one of Barcelona’s most important players since his £65m move from Ajax in 2019 but Sheringham fears the ‘pace and quality’ of the Premier League could be a ‘shock’ to the 25-year-old.

‘There is a massive recruitment job at Manchester United. Erik ten Hag needs to get players in with the right character and who understand the challenges of playing in the Premier League,’ Sheringham told Lord Ping.

‘Where is he going to find these players? I’m seeing the rumours about Frenkie de Jong. He hasn’t played in the Premier League and has been playing for Barcelona, who are expected to pretty much beat nearly every other team.

‘Many of Barca’s domestic opponents roll over for them throughout the season. That doesn’t happen in the Premier League – every game is a battle.

‘The pace and quality of the league could be a shock to the system for Ten Hag and a player like de Jong. United could have a season of absolute chaos again next year.’

With Manchester United failing to win a trophy since 2017 and