Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has endorsed Manchester United’s move to sign former Ajax midfielder Frenkie De Jong.
With the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Nemanja Matic all leaving Manchester United this summer, the Red Devils and Erik Ten Hag need to beef up their midfield.
Frenkie De Jong has been one of the big names linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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Despite the Dutch international wanting to stay at Barcelona for another season, the Catalan giants are willing to let the midfielder leave for an amount not less than 70 million pounds as Barcelona needs to balance their books and reduce their wage bill.
However, Paul Scholes believes De Jong will fit well into the playing style of Erik Ten Hag after the two had already worked together during his time at Ajax.
What was said?
Speaking with Premier production He said: “I heard Karen [Carney] mention there about a central midfielder – they’ve been talking about Frenkie de Jong, who I think is a really good player.
“I haven’t seen much of him at Barcelona I must admit but I’ve seen him with Holland and he’s that type of player that can come in and control the tempo of games. This manager needs backing now, he’s been brought into the club to turn it around.”
He added: “The only issue is who is going to be helping him in that side of the business?
“At Ajax he had Edwin and before that he had Marc Overmars. He’s always had someone to help him. I don’t see that role at United now, there isn’t that link between him and Richard Arnold or whoever is running the club.
“I think Steve McClaren could be doing that because Steve as I know is a fantastic coach and one of the best coaches I ever had. But he’s not coached for a while now and he’s been more into the Director of Football side of stuff with Derby County and whether he takes up more of that role in terms of signing players we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Meanwhile, New Manchester United Assistant coach Steve McClaren has named the similarities between Erik Ten Hag and Sir Alex Fergurson.
Speaking on the McClaren performance Podcast with his Son Josh He said: “The last seven days have epitomized his attention to detail, all the detail, all the planning – which he wants to get right.
“And that’s from the day after he won the championship with Ajax, he’s onto the next thing – a little bit like Sir Alex Ferguson used to do. But we just want to support Erik and make him successful and if he is, then the team is.”
He also revealed the meetings the two have had since his appointment.
He added: “It was the worst kept secret but it wasn’t confirmed until last week when Erik and Ajax finally won the league. Then we had the meetings the day after he celebrated the championship, and it was made official.
“And then we got to work, Erik finished his last game, came to London last week where I met him and Mitchell [van der Gaag] and John Murtough, and together we spent five days – six days including yesterday with the press, and seven including today – so we’ve spent the last week [working].
“As I’ve always said about Erik, the work ethic and the attention to detail has just been exemplified in the last seven days where he’s practically met every member of staff who he is going to work very closely with and in detail has worked out the plan, what each person’s job is.
‘It’s like going back in time 10 years ago when I first met him [when they were at Twente together] and everything was mapped out, and again that’s the case.
“So it’s not just exciting going back to Manchester United, it’s exciting working with Erik again. And after a week with Mitchell, a very, very good coach, and hopefully together – and along with the staff, John Murtough also has been a fantastic help in the process – we can begin the middle of June, players come back and it’s a new beginning.
“I know Erik is looking forward to it and I certainly am, and it was great to catch up with him over the last seven days and bond again and hopefully make a great team off the field that will ultimately produce one on the field.”
