Manchester United have had a mixed summer in the transfer window so far. Three players have joined the club, but first choice target Frenkie de Jong has not yet been secured.
Speaking to The Guardian ahead of the upcoming friendly match against Crystal Palace, manager Erik ten Hag was asked about De Jong.
The Dutchman says he will be open to alternatives, externally or internally, and wants the players to be right for his vision.
He also spoke about which signings he is very unlikely to make, for financial reasons.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
‘English players are too expensive’
Ten Hag explained: “We are looking for a player who can play in the holding [deep-lying] midfield position. There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position.
“I will not react on a certain player. We have a list. We will strike the moment the player is available.”
Ten Hag’s comments show he is ready to either (a) sign an alternative if he can find one, or (b) develop one himself. To be fair, there are very little options outside of that.
Two youngsters, Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal, have shone in pre-season so far, although it’s unclear whether he views them as close enough to step up, or if he wants to mould a more senior player into the De Jong role, perhaps even utilising Christian Eriksen’s skillset differently.
Hopefully United will get De Jong, but this transfer saga has dragged on for the best part of two months now, with the resolution unclear.
The one thing United probably won’t do, is overpay for an English player, as the club did in 2019 for Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He explained: “I would like to sign English players because there is only one criteria and that’s quality in combination with the price. English players are quite expensive.”
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