Manchester United can't afford to make Frenkie de Jong mistake in Mason Mount transfer chase

Another summer, another prolonged Manchester United chase for their top midfield target.

We're not quite at the desperate, infuriating stage last summer's chase for Frenkie de Jong descended into but fans would be forgiven for experiencing uncomfortable flashbacks as United endeavour to sign Mason Mount. This deal looks much likelier to go through but it's now three bids that Chelsea have rejected and there was once a time when it looked as though De Jong would eventually arrive at Old Trafford, too.

Erik ten Hag immediately identified the Barcelona maestro as his top midfield target, believing the player he enjoyed so much success with at Ajax would help implement his style of football at United much quicker. A cash-strapped Barcelona were desperate to raise funds and accepted the club's bid; a player so unwanted by his team would surely jump at the chance to work with his former coach, right?

Nope. Not in the slightest. De Jong had always maintained it was his dream to play for Barcelona and he wasn't going to wake up from it for anyone. Even if Barca were doing all they could legally do to force him out of the door. The Dutchman made it abundantly clear he wasn't going to move to Manchester but United did not relent, they continued their futile pursuit for months to the extent they started the season without the new midfield talisman required to drive Ten Hag's revolution.

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Christian Eriksen was signed in a smart free transfer but it was soon made obvious he wasn't going to be enough. Opening back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford exposed just how weak United were in midfield and highlighted the urgent need for further recruitment.

De Jong was