Manchester United spent the majority of the summer chasing a deal for Frenkie de Jong as the midfielder was Erik ten Hag's priority transfer target. The 25-year-old played under the Dutch manager at Ajax and given his struggles at Barcelona many fans believed a reunion could have potentially been on the cards.
United then went on the spend £70 million on Brazil and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro instead, mainly due to De Jong's reluctance to leave Camp Nou. He had always reiterated that Barcelona was his 'dream club' so it was his preference to stay but another reason the midfielder was reluctant to move to Old Trafford was their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
United finished sixth in the Premier League during the 2021-22 season, which meant that they would be playing on Thursday nights in the Europa League instead of in Europe's top competition. Some signings like Lisandro Martinez and the aforementioned Casemiro were willing to take the step down, De Jong obviously wasn't.
Barcelona were drawn in a group with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen. Given the money they spent this summer, it was expected that De Jong and his side would progress into the knockout stages.
However, three games in and Barcelona find themselves third in the standings on three points, behind Inter and Bayern. Their latest result was a 1-0 loss against the Italian side and if they fail to win the reverse fixture then they could find themselves in real trouble heading into their final games.
If Barcelona were to find themselves third, then they would fall into the Europa League and there they could face United in the knockout rounds. Though not the way that they imagined, Ten Hag and De Jong could have the reunion that the manager chased in the summer.
However, given the strength of the Premier League this season, Ten Hag may hope that his reunion never comes as United may need a Europa League win to get back into the Champions League next season. And then if De Jong's situation is still unfavourable at Barcelona, the club could have a better shot at bringing him to Old Trafford in the future.
30005026(deleted)
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Utd Defense is weak so they can try this with 2 DM
OluyemiKayode
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Double less experienced young midfielders like Pedri and Gavi dinning with old man Bousquet and you think it's a progressive leadership xavi is creating in Barcelona. so badass
OluyemiKayode
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imagine a coach like xavi resting Jodi alba and Alex balde for outcast Alonso. how do he plans to be champion this season. he's a foolish man
OluyemiKayode
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how can a a coach like xavi repeatedly make wrong formation in two champions league match. how can Raphina and dembele start in different wings when both ballers are to represent the same position in a team?
OluyemiKayode
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the only Barca problem now is coach formation
jonatzDjango
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With all the money spent, with all the talent in the squad such that they even allowed players like Aubameyang to leave, Barcelona could be doing better. Time will tell, but so far, in the CL things aren't looking up.
pudceilny
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Xavi isn't yet a top class manager till tomorrow. Champions League is steps ahead of him.
fiwcdlopsu
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barcelona will play man utd europa final this season
cahbclnouz
1
Once Barca Pay De Jong The Money They Owed Him.., Then We Start Talking.
Nice words from the president of Manchester United club. Good one 👏
yesaerstuy
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The headline though, it is misleading
jezabdnpyz
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Once Barca Pay De Jong The Money They Owed Him.., Then We Start Talking.
ClemJay
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United should focus on integrating casemiro and leave De Jong out coz he doesn't want to go to United