Three players prove Manchester United must improve their transfer sales pitch

The greatest barrier to Manchester United signing Frenkie de Jong might well be convincing the player to come to Old Trafford.

United have an interest in De Jong this summer and Barcelona's financial uncertainty might make the Catalan club open to a deal, but the sales pitch would have to be exceptional. The allure of a reunion with Erik ten Hag might be tempting, but United would be asking De Jong to swap Champions League football at the Nou Camp for the Europa League or Europa Conference League at Old Trafford.

What United are basically selling at the moment is a project, a promise of jam tomorrow if all goes according to plan. But De Jong is beginning to make an impression at Barca under Xavi and, even if they decide they do need to sell, there will be other Champions League offers for the 25-year-old.

READ MORE: United weighing up Frenkie de Jong transfer

The task of selling the club to prospective signings is something that will fall to technical director Darren Fletcher this summer. Fletcher can speak from experience about representing United, about winning trophies at Old Trafford, but realistically how close is that to happening now?

Not so long the idea of turning United down would have been hard to comprehend, but being told 'no' is becoming a regular occurrence for the club. Ralf Rangnick, whose consultancy role will focus on recruitment at Old Trafford, recently said the club needed to look at signing the best young players who had the potential to grow into superstars, but they've been trying that — and failing.

United wanted to sign Erling Haaland when he swapped RB Salzburg for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 and Jude Bellingham when he moved from Birmingham City to the same club that summer.

Ole