Erik ten Hag wanted to bring Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd last summer (Picture: Getty)
Dwight Yorke says he has an ‘insight’ into why Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong snubbed Manchester United last summer.
Erik ten Hag was keen to reunite with former Ajax star De Jong following his appointment at Old Trafford.
United reportedly made several offers to sign the Netherlands international and Barca were willing to sell to raise some much-needed cash.
But De Jong dug his heels in and essentially refused to leave the Nou Camp, forcing Manchester United and Ten Hag to turn to other targets.
While the Red Devils missed out on De Jong, they have continued to be linked with a move for the 25-year-old and are expected to revive their interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
Given De Jong’s relationship with Ten Hag, United were hopeful of securing his signature and Old Trafford legend Yorke has given an ‘insight’ into why a deal failed to materalise.
Yorke spoke with De Jong at the A-League All Stars Game in Sydney last May and got an ‘insight’ into why the Dutch star was going to reject Manchester United’s advances.
Dwight Yorke still wants De Jong to join United (Picture: Getty)
‘I actually spoke to Frenkie de Jong when we played against him in the A-League All-Stars game in Australia,’ Yorke told Football Odds.
‘I have a little bit of insight, he wanted to see what Barcelona would become under the new guidance of Xavi and see how that panned out before he decided if he wanted to join Manchester United.
‘But there is a Dutch connection with Erik Ten Hag, De Jong would be a great pick because he’s an excellent player.
‘He would be the player that would fit into that midfield net to Casemiro and give us a bit more stability. Manchester United would have a very solid core to the team if he was to join.’
De Jong was part of the Barcelona side that were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United last month.
While Xavi’s side fell short in Europe, they have enjoyed a superb domestic campaign to move nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Manchester United, meanwhile, suffered an embarrassing 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend but have largely impressed under Ten Hag, climbing to third in the Premier League and winning the EFL Cup.
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‘I spoke to him, so I have a little bit of insight.’