Manchester United spent the best part of three months in the summer pursuing Frenkie de Jong.
The transfer did not happen despite a £63.5 million fee being agreed with Barcelona, because the midfielder did not want to leave.
Many reasons for this were suggested, from De Jong’s happiness in Spain, doubts over Manchester United, and a desire to play Champions League football.
His Champions League campaign with Barcelona looks to be short lived after a poor start to their campaign, where they sit third. Inter Milan need just a win against Viktoria Plzen to secure second place behind Bayern Munich.
De Jong was on the bench as Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter on Wednesday night. And he isn’t happy.
De Jong ‘disgusted’ with his situation at Barcelona
Spanish newspaper Sport report Frenkie de Jong is ‘disgusted’ with his situation at Barcelona, where he is not a regular starter.
He has made only four starts across La Liga and the Champions League combined this season.
Sport report: “He [thought he] was going to have a decisive role in Xavi’s new project, but the reality is different.”
De Jong is concerned he won’t be selected for El Clasico this coming weekend as he has consistently been left out of the big games this season.
De Jong should have seen this coming
De Jong only has himself to blame, with Barcelona making clear they were happy to offload him this summer, agreeing a £63.5 million fee with Manchester United, BBC Sport reported.
In pre-season he was deployed as a centre-back rather than a midfielder, with Barcelona signing Franck Kessie to add to their existing midfield options of Gavi, Pedri, and Sergio Busquets.
Erik ten Hag was reportedly ready to make him a key figure and build his midfield around him, Marca reported.
De Jong was not swayed, and now he looks set to fall into the Europa League anyway, where he could face Manchester United. Although he will probably be on the bench.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
