Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[MUFC OK]

The inferiority complex is strong amongst some of us

Yes, we arent city or pool currently and dont have CL football next season, but anyone joining is doing so for (assumedly) more than one year. If Barca need the money I dont see a reason why we cant get this done.

The only other mid that I'm confident would be a success is Tchouameni, and by all accounts he won't be joining so would definitely be happy with this singing.

 

[groovyalbert]

So why are they more attractive? They have a project and some money. All that has allowed them to do is do what we have been doing for years. They now need the right manager and need to buy the right players. As do we. And like us, they now have the money too.

They won't be up there for a good few seasons. We're much closer to the top and will be in the CL long before they are. At this point they are nowhere near so aren't a huge draw. They also don't seem to be splashing the cash willy nilly as Lingard was laughed out of it over his wage demands. I don't think you're taking into account how much is involved in getting a club from where Newcastle are to be consistently fighting for top 4, let alone challenging for titles.

I don't think them not being willing to spend the money on Lingard is indicative of them not being ambitious/willing to push the boat out, more that they're being sensible and realizing his true worth - something we've failed at for the last few seasons.

Obviously there are loads of arguments as to why Utd are more compelling, and I of course think they are too. But if I was a player basing my decision on where I should go, where Newcastle come up trumps - who has more ambitious owners? and who has more money to willingly spend/invest in the project?

ETH is going to need a while to impose his style on the team and should be given time to transition the club, but that does mean top 4 is by no means a certainty next season, and by the time 23/24 comes around who knows where Newcastle will be in regards to their project. As a reference point, City were challenging top 4 in their second season under their current owners, and cracked it in their third.

 

[Red Dreams]

Not sure if posted already here.
Impressive.
Can see why ETH would want him.

 

[RedDevil@84]

If Barca need the money I dont see a reason why we cant get this done.

Player does not want to come and is being forced out by Barca. We don't want any player whose heart is not in it.

 

[Rozay]

The inferiority complex is strong amongst some of us

Yes, we arent city or pool currently and dont have CL football next season, but anyone joining is doing so for (assumedly) more than one year. If Barca need the money I dont see a reason why we cant get this done.

The only other mid that I'm confident would be a success is Tchouameni, and by all accounts he won't be joining so would definitely be happy with this singing.

If we got FDJ I would still expect us to go after Tchouameni. That said, of their respective function, I think it is far easier to find a good alternative for what Tchouameni would bring to the team than for what Frenkie would.

 

[reddevilchennai]

If we got FDJ I would still expect us to go after Tchouameni. That said, of their respective function, I think it is far easier to find a good alternative for what Tchouameni would bring to the team than for what Frenkie would.

The chances of getting them both is less. But I wish we do something to bring them both.

With these two and the promising academy players, our midfield will be sorted for another 7 years.

 

[Yagami]

If we got FDJ I would still expect us to go after Tchouameni. That said, of their respective function, I think it is far easier to find a good alternative for what Tchouameni would bring to the team than for what Frenkie would.

Agreed. Only other alternative to what Frenkie offers is Arthur who is also on the market. These press resistant libero(in possession) types are too rare to pass up on.

 

[Volksie316]

Typical United.

Waste all our time chasing a player what is likely not interested in joining and then miss out on other targets.

It’s the same shit very window and it won’t change, no matter who the manager is.

 

[MUFC OK]

The chances of getting them both is less. But I wish we do something to bring them both.

With these two and the promising academy players, our midfield will be sorted for another 7 years.

Chance of both is next to zero, I think there are positions where can make compromise/bargain signings, but CM has been such a huge issue for us, it is plain to see. We need top quality in there in order to compete. It's been the priority position for us for some time and really think we need both a playmaker and a combative ball-winner/someone who can lock down the 6 alone.

Agree about the 7 years comment, the top mids tend to last at their clubs for a long time. Think Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, even Kante at Chelsea. Would love it if we could set and forget our midfield.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

If we got FDJ I would still expect us to go after Tchouameni. That said, of their respective function, I think it is far easier to find a good alternative for what Tchouameni would bring to the team than for what Frenkie would.

If FDJ comes here that's because ETH. Why would Tchouameni buying our project under ETH if he could play for Klopp or even Real Madrid?

Tchouameni is too unrealistic imo.

 

[bond19821982]

I agree with this.

When Guardiola was after FDJ a few years ago, he was seen more as an alternative to Rodri as the 6. But Rodri is entrenched in that position now. They probably need a backup to replace Fernandinho but they're not going to pay 70m and 350k per week for a backup DM.

I don't think FDJ has the skills in the attacking third to thrive as one of the 8s at City. He really isn't on the same level as KDB or Bernardo Silva in terms of contribution to the attack - maybe not even on the same level as Gundogan - and that's what Pep wants from the 8s in his system. They don't have trouble moving the ball forward so they don't need to sacrifice attacking potency to get another ball progressing player on the field.

IMO, in theory he would make more sense for Chelsea if Jorginho is leaving. But I doubt the new regime is eager to pay another player at those kinds of wages.

They need 2 -3 defenders , a DM to replace Kante , and a left back if Alonso is leaving. Think they will go hard on Tchouameni.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

The inferiority complex is strong amongst some of us

Yes, we arent city or pool currently and dont have CL football next season, but anyone joining is doing so for (assumedly) more than one year. If Barca need the money I dont see a reason why we cant get this done.

The only other mid that I'm confident would be a success is Tchouameni, and by all accounts he won't be joining so would definitely be happy with this singing.

I think it's also because there's talk that he loves it there at Barca and doesn't want to leave. Would be a real shame as although I've jot seen that much of him he's the type we've needed for a long time.

 

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

Watched some videos. Is he actually any good? Isn't he is being booed by the fans?

 

[SATA]

Half the Caf didn’t believe Varane would come either but he plays for us now. This in the same sense has too much smoke going on too

 

[Red Dreams]

The CL is a big attraction of course.
But a proven manager like ETH will attract good players.
So we must not write ourselves off.

 

[the_cliff]

Of course it does. He could slot in next to KdB as well as add depth to a midfield which literally has no depth.

Bernardo wanted to leave last summer because of lack of game time and has only recently been convinced to stay by Pep, I think it's either Bernardo or Frenkie for City then you have Gundogan and Foden that could also fill in if needed. I think City's more pressing issue is their Fernandinho/Rodri position as Fernandinho is leaving in the summer they'll only have Rodri as the more defensive pivot.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Most journo's have no idea and just want to shit on united at every opportunity. If he joins, I'll assume its for the right reasons. What calibre of player do you think we're worthy of signing out of interest?

If de Jong genuinely wants to join then I’m all for it. I just want to see us sign young, hungry players that want to play for Utd. Ideally we’ll go after players who are quality but aren’t quite world class level just yet and won’t command mega fees.

 

[MUFC OK]

The CL is a big attraction of course.
But a proven manager like ETH will attract good players.
So we must not write ourselves off.

I do agree and it sucks that we arent in it next season, but he would be signing for a project - 4/5 years and surely the aim and expectation will be to get back in the CL asap.

 

[SATA]

Watched some videos. Is he actually any good? Isn't he is being booed by the fans?

Has some of the best highlights in youtube history. Go watch it, he’s a baller. As for him being booed, I don’t really know. I do hear that Barca fans aren’t exactly happy with some of his performances this year

 

[MUFC OK]

If de Jong genuinely wants to join then I’m all for it. I just want to see us sign young, hungry players that want to play for Utd. Ideally we’ll go after players who are quality but aren’t quite world class level just yet and won’t command mega fees.

Dont disagree with that, it's just hard to know which players are capable of playing at the top level in europe for the next 5-10 years. De Jong is pretty much a certainty for that so we'd be daft not to try. If he doesnt want to join I dont think it'll happen, he will have plenty of suitors.

 

[Offside]

We just can't do a deal without 1000 difficulties, can we?

You do have to accept our current reality a little. We’re a desperate sunken ship with a proven track record of ruining careers of top talent and no CL football. Does make it difficult trying to sign one of the best players in their position. We should be grateful we’re still able to go for players like this (which we are) and we’re not Liverpool circa 2010 shopping in the same store as Fulham and West Brom.

 

[Red Dreams]

I do agree and it sucks that we arent in it next season, but he would be signing for a project - 4/5 years and surely the aim and expectation will be to get back in the CL asap.

The man is already talking about transfers one day after winning the title.
Players are attracted to serious managers who are passionate about the game.

I still think it will take a few years to be talking of the title.
But I expect us to be playing some football we will all be enjoying.

 

[Thoms]

GET IT DONE PLEASE. Those cnuts on the Barcaforum don’t deserve him

Watched some videos. Is he actually any good? Isn't he is being booed by the fans?

He’s never been booed. Had a ‘mediocre’ season this year, the 2 years before that he was Barcas most important player next to Messi.

He would solve the midfield problem that you guys have. A much needed signing.

 

[Judas]

What number is he going to wear? What instrument does he play?

 

[DJ_21]

De jong isn’t a number 6 though is he? Isn’t he more box to box… be a lot of money to spend on the wrong type of midfielder, can he control games? It would be decent if we signed him but then got Kamara on a free.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

GET IT DONE PLEASE. Those cnuts on the Barcaforum don’t deserve him


He’s never been booed. Had a ‘mediocre’ season this year, the 2 years before that he was Barcas most important player next to Messi.

He would solve the midfield problem that you guys have. A much needed signing.

Out of interest why has he been mediocre?

Have to say, love this kind of player so hoping it goes through. But at the same time he should want to come here rather than this sob "Xavi loves him, he loves Barca and doesn't want to leave but has to" story.

80 million does seem steep have to say.

 

[Rozay]

De jong isn’t a number 6 though is he? Isn’t he more box to box… be a lot of money to spend on the wrong type of midfielder, can he control games? It would be decent if we signed him but then got Kamara on a free.

There is no ‘wrong type of midfielder’ for us. Ours are all rubbish.

 

[elnorte]

De jong isn’t a number 6 though is he? Isn’t he more box to box… be a lot of money to spend on the wrong type of midfielder, can he control games? It would be decent if we signed him but then got Kamara on a free.

Whatever variation of worst case scenario outcome you can think of it will inevitably be one of them.

 

[MUFC OK]

The man is already talking about transfers one day after winning the title.
Players are attracted to serious managers who are passionate about the game.

I still think it will take a few years to be talking of the title.
But I expect us to be playing some football we will all be enjoying.

I didn't know that. Just seen the rumours of a recruitment meeting. It's what I want to see.

I have no problem with a workaholic, this is obviously the biggest challenge of his career and he should be relishing it and is putting his reputation on the line in order to try and do well.

I've said all along that he's the manager who excites me most and let's be honest, this club needs someone to come in and drag it by the balls - lets hope it can be him.

 

[Thoms]

Out of interest why has he been mediocre?

Have to say, love this kind of player so hoping it goes through. But at the same time he should want to come here rather than this sob "Xavi loves him, he loves Barca and doesn't want to leave but has to" story.

80 million does seem steep have to say.

He had to play loads on other positions due to injuries in the Barca squad. Rarely got to play in his natural position.

 

[DWelbz19]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Frenkie plus one and it really is a wrap ffs let’s have it

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Half the Caf didn’t believe Varane would come either but he plays for us now. This in the same sense has too much smoke going on too

I sure hope so, but I am so jaded from all the primrose paths. I cannot believe these type of rumors until it's over.

 

[izec]

What number is he going to wear? What instrument does he play?

21, will be free in the summer

 

[Trophy Room]

Like Cesc?

 

[Adam-Utd]

De jong isn’t a number 6 though is he? Isn’t he more box to box… be a lot of money to spend on the wrong type of midfielder, can he control games? It would be decent if we signed him but then got Kamara on a free.

Difficult to say whether he would come in and displace the magnificent Mctominay. Could be a decent 80m bench warmer perhaps?

 

[mu4c_20le]

The man is already talking about transfers one day after winning the title.
Players are attracted to serious managers who are passionate about the game.

Indeed, some senior United players still speak fondly of LVG sending them tactical analysis over tracked emails.

 

[Ali Dia]

I left this news off last night to see if anyone else reliable came in on it.
My positive take is he’s a dream signing on paper. Worked with ETH to a borderline WC level in the the recent past. He still has a lot of running left in his legs. He has a point to prove having not won it all with Barca and having a mixed time there by all accounts.

The other side says monster wages. Could easily become another Pogba for us and lastly if he’s for sale for that price I can see Bayern PSG and City getting involved. Let’s hope he’s joining for the manager who can get the best out of him again and the sporting “project” (hate that word in relation to football!)

I really don’t see this one happening but I think he’s class.

 

[DWelbz19]

21, will be free in the summer

Like his fellow countryman he’ll wear the number of the PL title he’ll win us

 

[Nicoseth]

I think what hasn't been mentioned enough is the price. Okay, we need about 5-6 additions this summer, but 70-80m for De Jong is an absolute steal. I imagine we're probably budgeting for a net spend of 150m this summer. That still leaves plenty to go on other signings especially if we add to our budget with some sales.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It's funny Romero's (?) update has turned everyone into an insider on this story.