Erik ten Hag has given specific instructions in Manchester United’s chase for Frenkie de Jong

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Erik ten Hag has given Manchester United’s hierarchy specific instructions in the club’s ongoing chase of Frenkie de Jong.

The 52-year-old, who is the club’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired nine years ago, identified the Barcelona midfielder as his primary target this summer.

Ten Hag is keen to reunite with the former Ajax midfielder and the 25-year-old is seen as a vital acquisition to help his fellow countryman implement his total football playing style at Old Trafford.

The pair won the Eredivisie and Dutch Cup together during the 2018-19 campaign, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals before De Jong joined Barcelona in deal worth £65m.

Erik ten Hag gives United hierarchy specific instructions in De Jong chase

United’s pursuit of the 44-time Netherlands international doesn’t look to be reaching a positive outcome anytime soon.

Despite Barcelona’s willingness to sell their prized asset to help fund Xavi’s rebuild and register summer signings, De Jong has been included in the Barcelona squad for their pre-season tour.

The Athletic report that De Jong’s move to United now hangs in the balance despite Barca telling him to leave the club.

Fabrizio Romano reports a fee is agreed between the two clubs, but the deal is being held up at the midfielder’s end.

However, The Telegraph report he is owed £17 million by the club after deferring part of his wages during the pandemic, and that is evidently proving to be a huge stumbling block in negotiations.

But despite the move seemingly hanging in the balance, Ten Hag is reportedly willing to remain patient to land his man.

According to the Guardian: “Ten Hag has told John Murtough, United’s football director, and the CEO, Richard Arnold, that even if De Jong has not arrived by the season opener – Brighton’s visit to Old Trafford on 7 August – they should continue the chase.”

It seems that Ten Hag is willing to gamble in the club’s pursuit of De Jong but if no headway has been made or Barcelona change their stance by our Premier League opener, we will have to consider switching our attentions elsewhere and looking at potential alternatives.

The ongoing saga shows no signs of ending and given Ten Hag’s desire to reunite with Frenkie de Jong this is a deal that has all the makings of going right down to the wire.