Alternatives for Frenkie De Jong

Rayman96

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
1,327
Location
Glasgow
Supports
Also supports Rangers
SPORTbible-“Frenkie De Jong’s agent has reportedly told Manchester United CEO to stop insisting on signing him, the player won’t join them, he has decided”. One of the worst transfer sagas ever http://dlvr.it/SVTBZ6

If this is true, we need to stop embarrassing ourselves and move on
 

Strootman's Finger

New Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
1,661
The obvious answer is to develop Mctominay.

Has all the right attributes under the tutorship of EtH, MvG and S.McClaren.

Book mark this.
Obvious to who? or what?

McTominay isn't a kid that should come good this season, he's in his mid 20s, coming up on 26, he's been a first team regular for 3 years. He may get a little better under EtH, but he's not going to become a new player.
 

Rayman96

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
1,327
Location
Glasgow
Supports
Also supports Rangers
No need for alternative, he is coming.

What is said in public is not what is said in private and we wouldn't still be pursuing this if the player wasn't interested.
Frenkies agent:

I've got a great new strategy for your career.
Lets put it out that you think Manchester United is a big pile of steaming dogshite and you wouldn't join them if they were the last club on earth.
We can also say publicly that you want them to stop stalking you.
Then we can do a last minute U turn and sign for them. That way everyone at United, especially the fans, will love you even more and be eternally grateful that you lowered yourself to join them.

OR


Maybe he really doesn't want to join us!!!!
 

Gandalf

Full Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
4,759
Location
Alabama but always Wales in my heart
Actual facts to dispute it or just blind hope?
There are no actual facts behind the original story. The same source has said its on and its off multiple times throughout this saga and has contradicted that article many times since it was published 10 days ago. To recap, neither Frenkie nor his agent has ever said he does not want to move to Manchester United on the record. If he felt that way they could shut this down in 10 seconds and the fact they have not tells you all you need to know. The various twitter accounts and articles are randomly pushing bs every day because they don't actually have any news but need to keep spinning the narrative to make it look fresh to drive clicks.

Take the logical approach. We have a good relationship with his agent who also represents Malacia who we signed this summer and ETH is known to be on good terms with Frenkie so it strains credibility to think that we have not had some sort of conversation this summer in which we have been given a green light provided Frenkie can sort out his financial dispute with Barca. If the story had been true we would have walked away weeks ago.
 

Rayman96

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
1,327
Location
Glasgow
Supports
Also supports Rangers
There are no actual facts behind the original story. The same source has said its on and its off multiple times throughout this saga and has contradicted that article many times since it was published 10 days ago. To recap, neither Frenkie nor his agent has ever said he does not want to move to Manchester United on the record. If he felt that way they could shut this down in 10 seconds and the fact they have not tells you all you need to know. The various twitter accounts and articles are randomly pushing bs every day because they don't actually have any news but need to keep spinning the narrative to make it look fresh to drive clicks.

Take the logical approach. We have a good relationship with his agent who also represents Malacia who we signed this summer and ETH is known to be on good terms with Frenkie so it strains credibility to think that we have not had some sort of conversation this summer in which we have been given a green light provided Frenkie can sort out his financial dispute with Barca. If the story had been true we would have walked away weeks ago.
Good report. Thanks

Hope you are correct as we do need a player like him
 

matt10000

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
1,326
Location
Salford UK
Frenkies agent:

I've got a great new strategy for your career.
Lets put it out that you think Manchester United is a big pile of steaming dogshite and you wouldn't join them if they were the last club on earth.
We can also say publicly that you want them to stop stalking you.
Then we can do a last minute U turn and sign for them. That way everyone at United, especially the fans, will love you even more and be eternally grateful that you lowered yourself to join them.

OR


Maybe he really doesn't want to join us!!!!
Go to Bet365and convert £8 into £21
 

OleGunnar20

Full Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2018
Messages
2,158
Bennacer & Sangare seem like the best options from the little I know about the players on that list. Nunes suprised me as I didn't think he was very similar in style. @SportingCP96 how do you think he'd fit as an alternative?
 

dutchred

Full Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,924
Bennacer & Sangare seem like the best options from the little I know about the players on that list. Nunes suprised me as I didn't think he was very similar in style. @SportingCP96 how do you think he'd fit as an alternative?
I don't know about Bennacer, but Sangare is nothing like Frenkie. He's an out and out DM
 

Loony BoB

Full Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
1,356
Location
Edinbugger
If he can turn McT into a world class midfielder, he really is the 2nd coming
Cant pass
No spacial awareness
Limited ball control

If he can sort all that and more, he is THE ONE
People were saying the same about Fletcher for something like 5-10 years, and he ended up doing the goods for us. I'm willing to give McT time and opportunity under a different manager if the manager thinks he's good enough.
 

sugar_kane

Full Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
3,424
You have to question this guy's mentality that he'd rather waste his prime years at a club where he's clearly not wanted, embarrassing himself clinging on like a girl/boyfriend who refuses to accept they've been dumped, than go and seek a new challenge elsewhere.

He's part of an increasing trend of extremely talented players who value their lifestyle over their sporting legacy, symptomatic of the amount of money in the game I suppose.
 

Red_toad

Full Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Messages
11,587
Location
DownUnder
De Jong is such a specialist player, not many able to play the exact role Ten Hag wants him for. I can see why we're holding out for a deal, but I don't see it happening with all the latest press releases.
 

The Irish Connection

Full Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
2,269
I don't know about Bennacer, but Sangare is nothing like Frenkie. He's an out and out DM
I think he has good dribbling ability which is similar to frenkie, from what I have seen.
You could get sangare and ruiz for the same price as frenkie.
 

userman

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Mar 21, 2021
Messages
294
We’ve already signed an alternative to De Jong in Eriksen. My genuine guess is that Eriksen will be our CM/advanced playmaker when De Jong won’t be signed.
We now need to sign a DM/holding midfielder rather than another alternative to De Jong, so that we can get the best out of Eriksen (as well as our other midfielders with neither of them being DM’s).
Could our DM be Martinez?

A midfield three of Martinez(DM), Eriksen(CM) and Bruno(AM) with Fred, Donny and McT being the backups could be a good and solid midfield I think.
 

Mr PG

Full Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
1,514
Housem auor of Lyon I think it is…is a very good dribbler and holding player. Would be my choice…
 

RC89

Full Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
2,967
Frenkies agent:

I've got a great new strategy for your career.
Lets put it out that you think Manchester United is a big pile of steaming dogshite and you wouldn't join them if they were the last club on earth.
We can also say publicly that you want them to stop stalking you.
Then we can do a last minute U turn and sign for them. That way everyone at United, especially the fans, will love you even more and be eternally grateful that you lowered yourself to join them.

OR


Maybe he really doesn't want to join us!!!!
I really don't think we'd continue to pursue so adamantly and put any other midfield transfer on hold if we didn't get the indication he'd come. What I guess is happening is that they are trying to force Barca's hand, by publicly admitting he's willing to go gives him less leverage to get the money he's owed from Barca.

My biggest worry at this stage is that ultimately we don't get him, have to bid late for plan B/C and pay the plan A price, therefore restricting us from other transfers.
 

RC89

Full Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
2,967
You have to question this guy's mentality that he'd rather waste his prime years at a club where he's clearly not wanted, embarrassing himself clinging on like a girl/boyfriend who refuses to accept they've been dumped, than go and seek a new challenge elsewhere.

He's part of an increasing trend of extremely talented players who value their lifestyle over their sporting legacy, symptomatic of the amount of money in the game I suppose.
Maybe he's not that fussed about staying at Barca and just wants them to pay his reported €17m. That's a whole lot of money to just let go of.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

Full Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
7,052
In terms of being the connector Ten Hag spoke about, Neves is a good option but he just wouldn't carry about his 'connecting' the same way as De Jong. We should walk away if Wolves don't accept 45m at best for him.

Another alternative would be consider getting both Sangare and Tielemans while selling Mctominay if it was up to me.

Bruno Erisken
Sangare

VdB
Fred Tielemans​
 

#07

makes new threads with tweets in the OP
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
23,258
Florian Grillitsch, free transfer. Fills a gap in the squad and prevents us from panicking into another £50m for a Fred level player purchase.

Grillitsch is good enough to get us through to January. We can use the meantime to calmly plan for a player we really, really want and put the steps in place to get them.
 

Strootman's Finger

New Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
1,661
Ten Hag clearly knows Sangare well, Sangare is available at a good price. We literally haven't had any credible link to him, I think it's safe to say Ten Hag doesn't rate him and it's a waste of time talking about.... I would like to sign him, I've just accepted it's not happening.
 

hellhunter

Eurofighter
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
17,994
Location
Stuttgart, Germany
Supports
Karlsruher SC
Florian Grillitsch, free transfer. Fills a gap in the squad and prevents us from panicking into another £50m for a Fred level player purchase.

Grillitsch is good enough to get us through to January. We can use the meantime to calmly plan for a player we really, really want and put the steps in place to get them.
A guy that didn't get a new contract at Hoffenheim?

Marvin Wanitzek from KSC should be looked at if we're considering that level of player
 

Walters_19_MuFc

Full Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
29,256
Location
Birmingham
Ismael Bennacer - the perfect alternative.

Plays exactly how ten Hag would want him to play in that deep role, in that he starts play, makes progressive passes, screens the defence, presses well.

Two recent pre season games:


 

Bojan Djordjic

Full Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
1,649
Ismael Bennacer - the perfect alternative.

Plays exactly how ten Hag would want him to play in that deep role, in that he starts play, makes progressive passes, screens the defence, presses well.

Two recent pre season games:


He would be who I would like to. Him and Eriksen would be very fun in midfield. Injuries would be my only worry.
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
57,578
Location
Canada
Ismael Bennacer - the perfect alternative.

Plays exactly how ten Hag would want him to play in that deep role, in that he starts play, makes progressive passes, screens the defence, presses well.

Two recent pre season games:


He's the only one out there for me. Don't really rate Tielemans or Neves highly, and their cost is massively increased just by being in the premier league so makes them less desirable.
 

OleGunnar20

Full Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2018
Messages
2,158
Bennacer would be brilliant. I seem to remember a €50m release clause too?

Whether he'd leave Milan though is anybodies guess. They're looking promising these days.

Outside of that - How about Koopmeiners? Was doing well at Atalanta last I heard.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

Full Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
29,256
Location
Birmingham
He's the only one out there for me. Don't really rate Tielemans or Neves highly, and their cost is massively increased just by being in the premier league so makes them less desirable.
Yeah, me neither. Tielemans wouldn't suit the holding role anyway. If he were to come in, then you'd expect him to play in the 8 role, where McTominay/Van de Beek have been playing during pre season, and even then, whilst he's a good passer given time, he's not very good off the ball.

Out of the two, Neves would be my choice, but he's solely a passer, and even then, very inconsistent with it.

The fact that De Jong can dribble very well makes him press resistant, and I see similar traits in Bennacer.

However, with Milan selling Kessie to Barca, I just can't see them selling another midfielder.
 

#07

makes new threads with tweets in the OP
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
23,258
A guy that didn't get a new contract at Hoffenheim?

Marvin Wanitzek from KSC should be looked at if we're considering that level of player
I'd argue he didn't get a new deal cos he wanted more than they were willing to pay. Not cos he didn't play an important role in their squad.

I am not saying it's a long term solution. However, when the alternative is spending tens of millions on someone we might not be sure on. Why not get him in on a free, get through to the World Cup with him in the rotation then buy someone we've scouted properly for January?
 

Skills

Snitch
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
42,010
Ismael Bennacer - the perfect alternative.

Plays exactly how ten Hag would want him to play in that deep role, in that he starts play, makes progressive passes, screens the defence, presses well.

Two recent pre season games:


Lacking a bit of Ajax though
 

Infra-red

Full Member
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
13,387
Location
left wing
Florian Grillitsch, free transfer. Fills a gap in the squad and prevents us from panicking into another £50m for a Fred level player purchase.

Grillitsch is good enough to get us through to January. We can use the meantime to calmly plan for a player we really, really want and put the steps in place to get them.
I quite like him, too. It is a bit of a worry that Brighton pulled out of signing him due to concerns about his personality/temperament, though.

I still think Fabian Ruiz is the best alternative, assuming Ten Hag is prioritising someone who can progress the ball through midfield and circulate possession. He's not a holding midfielder, though, so if the priority is a shield for the back 4, we'd need to look elsewhere.
 

Bojan Djordjic

Full Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
1,649
I know he's not a similar type of player but I really wish we took a punt on Enzo Fernandez from River Plate. He's one of those guys that could really do a job for us in midfield and also explode in value in the coming years and he scored an absolute worldy on his debut for Benfica last night.
 

#07

makes new threads with tweets in the OP
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
23,258
I know he's not a similar type of player but I really wish we took a punt on Enzo Fernandez from River Plate. He's one of those guys that could really do a job for us in midfield and also explode in value in the coming years and he scored an absolute worldy on his debut for Benfica last night.
Should have signed him and Alvarez from River. Wouldn't have cost as much as Wan-Bissaka for the two of them. Just shows inefficiently United scouts and spends...

I quite like him, too. It is a bit of a worry that Brighton pulled out of signing him due to concerns about his personality/temperament, though.

I still think Fabian Ruiz is the best alternative, assuming Ten Hag is prioritising someone who can progress the ball through midfield and circulate possession. He's not a holding midfielder, though, so if the priority is a shield for the back 4, we'd need to look elsewhere.
I think the Brighton thing was mostly down to his demands again. I'm not saying it's a long term solution but it's something to bridge the gap.

Ruiz is an interesting one, given his contract situation and Napoli's need for money. I agree if we're after someone to advance the ball above all else he's a good shout. I slightly worry about his physicality but, that being said, I've seen Fred get bounced while trying to stop an Everton counter. So I'm willing to take a chance on Ruiz.
 

devilish

Juventus fan who used to support United
Joined
Sep 5, 2002
Messages
61,518
The obvious answer is to develop Mctominay.

Has all the right attributes under the tutorship of EtH, MvG and S.McClaren.

Book mark this.
there's more of a chance of us being able to squeeze a bit of juice out of Scholes, Carrick, even Whiteside and Robbo then that.
 

Dante

Average bang
Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Messages
25,280
Location
My wit's end
This was EtH's Ajax team in 2018/19 when he had De Jong in the team:

It was 'connector' (FdJ) plus CM (VdB central) and CM (Schone).


And this was his formation in 2019/20 after De Jong left:


As you can see, Ten Hag didn't replace like with like. He went a totally different direction. It was more like DM (Martinez a bit more defensive on the left) plus B2B (VdB a bit more attacking on the right) plus #10 (Ziyech).

So I don't think we're gonna go for an alternative to in the FdJ mould (not that one even exists). We'll switch focus to somebody like Neves and rebuild the midfield from the ground up.
 

georgipep

Full Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Messages
2,471
Location
Not far enough
Should have signed him and Alvarez from River. Wouldn't have cost as much as Wan-Bissaka for the two of them. Just shows inefficiently United scouts and spends...



I think the Brighton thing was mostly down to his demands again. I'm not saying it's a long term solution but it's something to bridge the gap.

Ruiz is an interesting one, given his contract situation and Napoli's need for money. I agree if we're after someone to advance the ball above all else he's a good shout. I slightly worry about his physicality but, that being said, I've seen Fred get bounced while trying to stop an Everton counter. So I'm willing to take a chance on Ruiz.
Why would Napoli need more money after selling Koulibaly?