Manchester United’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is ongoing, with ESPN reporting he is the club’s first choice target.
Fabrizio Romano reports the move is entering ‘key stages’. De Jong is a player who is worth the wait, described as ‘unique’ and like Ngolo Kante, by Ronald de Boer.
So while De Jong will make Manchester United better, who specifically can benefit from the midfielder’s potential arrival?
Here is a look at three players who stand to reap most rewards from Frenkie de Jong’s long awaited Manchester United move.
Harry Maguire
Manchester United’s under-fire captain will be a big beneficiary from a midfield leader joining the team, who suits his playing style perfectly.
Maguire likes to pass the ball out of defence, and De Jong prefers to be the first midfielder receiving possession, always in space, he will be the player Maguire looks for first.
De Jong will bring new structure to United’s midfield, which will prevent the defence from becoming overrun. Maguire will benefit as a result, and there will be less goals conceded and less criticism.
Donny van de Beek
An obvious choice, Donny van de Beek has played alongside Frenkie de Jong before for Ajax and the Netherlands, with real success.
The best football of Van de Beek’s career came alongside De Jong in midfield, and his fellow Dutchman can help reignite his Manchester United spell.
While it is unclear where Van de Beek fits in alongside De Jong as a regular starter, he will get his opportunities, and when he does link up with his compatriot, their already-established connection will help both players, on and off the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo finished last season as Manchester United’s top goalscorer with 24 goals, in a dysfunctional team crippled by a poor midfield.
De Jong is Manchester United’s answer to fixing the midfield conundrum, where he will aim to help United to control games and become far more efficient in possession.
United becoming a more controlled and possession based team means more chances will be created, which will inevitably mean more chances created for Cristiano Ronaldo – and more goals. He will be aiming for 30 plus this season.