Rafael van der Vaart explains why Frenkie de Jong must join Man United

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has urged Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong to complete a switch to Manchester United this summer.

The 25-year-old, who joined Barcelona from Ajax three years ago, is understood to be towards the top of United's wish list this summer, as manager Erik ten Hag aims to oversee big changes at Old Trafford. The new United manager wants to strengthen several positions within his squad, not least central-midfield.

United are crying out for a both a defensive-minded midfield player and a box-to-box-type midfielder, with De Jong fitting the latter of those two categories. He worked with Ten Hag at Ajax and the latter is understood to have reached out to the midfielder's agent in the hope of getting a deal over the line.

Barcelona head coach Xavi, on more than one occasion, has reiterated his desire to keep hold of the midfield ace, but club president Joan Laporta recently admitted that he might have to be sold to help with the club's finances. Reservations, too, have reportedly been expressed by De Jong, who wants to continue playing in the Champions League - something that United cannot offer next term.

However, former Spurs ace Van der Vaart believes De Jong is 'out of place' at the Spanish giants and has urged him to make the move to England. He has also outlined how beneficial it could be for him to be reunited with Ten Hag.

"That is of course the most ideal," Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport. "Then you have a trainer who knows exactly what you can and cannot do.

"And United still need a little quality."

On what De Jong would bring to United, Van der Vaart added: "There are players who can do the same and maybe be better than you or have performed more.

"As long as those other players are there, he is out of place at Barcelona. At United he could play more like with the Dutch national team. Then he's the only one of his kind."