Man Utd told De Jong only sorts ‘10% of the problem’ with ‘eight or nine’ players needed

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd target De Jong

Man Utd have been told that they will still need to sign eight or nine new players after their deal for Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona is completed.

De Jong has been United’s primary transfer target so far this summer. He has played 140 times for Barcelona over the past four seasons.

Last week it was claimed that Man Utd agreed a fee to sign De Jong. Though Barcelona’s president stated on Saturday that they have ‘no intention’ of selling him.


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The Red Devils are also understood to be targeting Eredivisie trio Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonalahor has warned Man Utd that they have “got so many problems”:

“Yes, he’s a good signing but that’s just a start.” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“I love Frenkie de Jong. He’s very good on the ball, very good at passing, he can start off attacks, but Manchester United need so much more.

“They need eight or nine more good players. They need centre-halves, they need another right back, another left back to cover Luke Shaw’s injuries. They need defensive midfielders, wingers, they need another striker.

“They’ve got so many problems that this season coming, I don’t see them finishing in the top four again.

“We could come to a situation where, the norm is Manchester United not playing Champions League football, unless they win the Europa League because they just don’t look anywhere near, quality-wise, as close as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Spurs now. Spurs are bringing in good players, Arsenal are coming a bit closer to top four as well.

“So, Manchester United for me are in big trouble and Frenkie de Jong is only the start. That’s like 10% of the problem sorted, they’ve got so much work to do.

“Ten Hag is under pressure straight away. Everyone is going to be after them, everyone will be criticising ten Hag so he has to really start the first five or six games with a good tally of points because Manchester United are a team everyone is enjoying having a bad time.“