Erik ten Hag confirmed that Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was his first option to reinforce Manchester United’s midfield, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Dutch manager, speaking in an interview with The Athletic, revealed that he held multiple high-level meetings in a prolonged effort to bring the player to Old Trafford, though the move ultimately collapsed.

Having previously coached De Jong during their successful run at AFC Ajax, Ten Hag viewed the midfielder as the foundational piece for his sporting project in England.

The Internal Push and Executive Meetings at Old Trafford

Addressing the mechanics of the failed transfer, Ten Hag clarified his distance from financial negotiations while detailing his personal involvement in recruiting the Dutch international. Fichajes.com noted the manager’s explanation that he never participated in financial discussions, leaving those matters to club executives.

When I arrived at the United, I did what I could to sign De Jong. I tried every way, Ten Hag stated in comments recorded by AS and cited by Fichajes.com. The manager added that he organized specific meetings with the player alongside then-chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough in an attempt to persuade him to join the Premier League side.

He could have been very important for building the team, not only that year but also for the future. But we didn’t get it, Ten Hag explained to The Athletic, as outlined by Mundo Deportivo.

Targeting Harry Kane and Declan Rice Alongside De Jong

The pursuit of De Jong formed part of a broader, unrealized transfer strategy during Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford, which spanned from June 2022 to October 2024 before his departure, as documented by Goal.com. Alongside the Barcelona midfielder, the Dutch coach pressed club leadership for additional high-profile signings to reshape the squad.

Goal.com reported that Ten Hag also targeted England forward Harry Kane, noting that the player was open to the move before eventually joining Bayern Munich. In addition, the manager identified midfielder Declan Rice as a priority, though he felt the club did not exhaust all possibilities to meet West Ham United’s valuation. Despite securing two domestic trophies—the FA Cup and the EFL Cup—during his time in England, Ten Hag’s inability to secure his primary structural targets defined the limitations of his squad reconstruction.

Current Status and Recovery Timeline

While Ten Hag has since moved on to serve as technical director at FC Twente, according to club updates noted by Mundo Deportivo, De Jong remains at Barcelona. The Dutch midfielder is currently navigating the final phase of his recovery from a knee injury, working to regain full fitness for Hansi Flick’s squad.