Frenkie de Jong is frustrated with his situation at Barcelona (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Frenkie de Jong are not over, with the Barcelona midfielder unhappy with his lack of playing time at the Camp Nou and considering a January exit.
The Red Devils’ attempting to buy the Dutch midfielder was one of the transfer sagas of the summer, but it ultimately failed with the 25-year-old choosing to stay with Barca.
De Jong thought he was going to be an integral part of the Barcelona team under Xavi, having started 30 La Liga games last season, but things have not gone to plan for him so far this campaign.
The former Ajax star has made just three La Liga starts this time round and one in the Champions League, being left out of the starting XI in the biggest games they have faced in both competitions.
Spanish publication Sport report that De Jong is annoyed with the situation and his frustration will only increase if he doesn’t get back into the starting XI.
Sport’s report states that Manchester United have maintained contact with De Jong’s representatives and remain very keen to bring the Dutchman to Old Trafford.
While the midfielder is struggling for game time at Barca, he has been assured that he would be a central figure with the Red Devils were he to make the move to the Premier League.
It is believed that De Jong’s first choice is still to remain at Barcelona, but that will change if he cannot be guaranteed to play in the big games under Xavi.
Barca have won all four games De Jong has started this season, but they have come against Elche, Cadiz, Real Sociedad and Viktoria Plzen, while he has had to make do with coming off the bench against Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Sevilla.
El Clasico comes around this Sunday in Madrid and De Jong will be hoping he has convinced his boss to start him in a big game for the first time this season.
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The Red Devils are still keen after failing in the summer.