Former Man Utd defender Paul Parker thinks Frenkie de Jong would be a “smart” signing and make Erik ten Hag’s side “a lot better”.
The Red Devils brought in a number of new players in the summer transfer window with Barcelona midfielder De Jong one of the signings they were chasing,
However, Barcelona made it clear they weren’t interested in selling one of their best players and the Netherlands international reportedly had no intention of signing for Man Utd.
A report yesterday claimed that Man Utd boss Ten Hag has made De Jong is top summer target with the Dutchman keen to pair the Barcelona midfielder and Casemiro at Old Trafford.
And former Man Utd defender Parker thinks De Jong would “fit perfectly” into the Red Devils’ team for next season.
Parker told Soccernews: “I would love it if United signed De Jong. He is a different type of player than Casemiro and he is quite agile on the ball. He would fit perfectly in Ten Hag’s midfield.”
“He’s a great footballer and he would make the team a lot better. De Jong would add a certain ‘constancy’ to the midfield and in possession he could add a lot to this United.”
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is another reported target for Man Utd with Ten Hag apparently a ‘huge fan’ of the Italy international.
Parker added: “Barella is also a good player, but it is a bit more difficult to fit in an Italian. I would always prefer De Jong to Barella, partly because Ten Hag knows him (ie Frenkie, ed.) so well.
“With De Jong, United would have two strong midfielders and then a loose cannon in the number 10 position in the person of Bruno Fernandes. Frenkie sets out the lines and is also very smart. He rarely loses the ball…”
Donny van de Beek has had a terrible time at Old Trafford since joining Man Utd for around £40m in 2020 with the Netherlands international not seemingly in Ten Hag’s plans moving forward.
Parker does have sympathy for Van de Beek but has advised the midfielder to think about returning to the Eredivisie in an attempt to rediscover his best form.
He continued: “Ten Hag sold him to United, but he also knows that this will not work. He was misused under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, moreover, he came to Old Trafford at the wrong time, in the COVID period.
“Maybe it would be smart for him to go back to the Eredivisie to revive his career. In any case, I don’t see him conquering a basic place at Man United.”
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