Incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will prioritise strengthening his midfield this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Red Devils have had a disappointing campaign, leaving ten Hag with a tough job to turn things around next term, and O’Rourke expects him to focus on bringing in a midfielder to improve the team.
United have already been linked with a player that ten Hag knows well – Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
Ten Hag and de Jong worked together at Ajax, prior to the latter moving to Barcelona for £65m in 2019. Now, ten Hag has his eye on a reunion with the 24-year-old as he looks to get United back into the top four next season.
De Jong still has four years left on his Barcelona contract, though, indicating that agreeing a deal with the Catalan giants may be far from straightforward.
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O’Rourke thinks ten Hag will want to sign a midfielder as he is set to lose a couple of players in this position in the coming months.
He has hinted that going after de Jong makes sense due to his previous relationship with ten Hag, but believes the 13-time Premier League champions may have their work cut out due to Xavi wanting the 40-cap international to stay at the Nou Camp.
O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Obviously, midfield is a priority position for Manchester United this summer with Pogba and Matic set to leave on free transfers. Frenkie de Jong had a great time at Ajax under ten Hag, helping them reach the Champions League semi-finals, and also helped him win that big-money move to Barcelona.
“It’s been a bit mixed for de Jong at Barcelona, but I know Xavi is very keen to keep hold of him at the club. He says he wants to keep
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