The Manchester United manager was after his compatriot all summer, but couldn’t close it out
“I don’t know, really. Frenkie is an incredible footballer for any club. He has unique strengths, if you have him with you, you will always have a much stronger team.”
It was one of the great soap operas of last summer. Erik Ten Hag went after Frenkie de Jong in a ‘harass and takedown’ that did not end well. There was no way to convince the tulip midfielder to change the Camp Nou for Old Trafford. For him to leave Manchester United for FC Barcelona. And in the press conference prior to the Europa League game at the Camp Nou, of course, they have asked him about that matter.
“I don’t know why he couldn’t convince him, really. Frenkie is an amazing footballer for any club. He has unique strengths, if you have him with you, you will always have a much stronger team.”
Immediately afterwards, the ‘red devils’ coach was full of praise (even more) towards his former pupil, with whom he made history at Ajax in 2019. They reached the Champions League semifinals after defeating Juventus or Real Madrid: “The 2019 team fascinated and De Jong the most. He has become one of the best midfielders here in Spain, playing from behind. It was a pleasure playing with him.”