Frenkie de Jong: The solution to Manchester United’s midfield woes? – scout report

Frenkie de Jong’s future has been a topic of huge debate for the better part of a month. After a breakthrough season with Ajax in 2018/19, winning the league and cup double while also being an instrumental figure in the team’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, he signed for Barcelona for an initial fee worth €75 million in the summer of 2019.

He joined the Catalan club in a period of transition and turbulence, both on and off the pitch. With the team being far from its best shape, witnessing several managerial changes and financial uncertainty, de Jong never really hit the dazzling heights of his Ajax days under Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, across three seasons at the Nou Camp, he has been a key player in Barca’s midfield and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world at 25 years of age.

Frenkie loves Barcelona, leaving was never in his plans. But the club’s financial constraints mean that they need to free up cash and de Jong is one of their most saleable assets.

Here is where Manchester United come into the equation. New boss Erik ten Hag wishes to reunite with the Dutch midfielder and build his new-look United team around him, having arguably guided de Jong to produce his best football during their 18 months together in Amsterdam.

Anyone who watches football can see that the Red Devils have a big weakness in the middle of the park, a problem that dates back to before Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Ferguson’s final midfield signing was Anderson, and that was in 2007/08, five seasons before he retired. Since then, United have spent a combined £324.1 million on eight different central midfielders (Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred, and Donny van de Beek.) One or two at most can be classified as successful signings. While only Fred and van de Beek now remain.

This tactical analysis and scout report will look at whether de Jong can be the start of the midfield revolution under ten Hag if his reported €65 million move goes through. The analysis highlights his style of play and his different roles at Ajax and Barcelona, and how he can potentially fit into Uniteds style and tactics.

Style of play

De Jong is a very versatile player, he mainly operates in a single or double pivot and can also play in a three-man midfield as the left or right-sided midfielder. In general, he is a very technical player. De Jong brings a calming presence to the team with his ability to maintain possession, play neat and tidy passes and advance the ball up the pitch. He is the string-puller who makes his team tick.

The Dutchman especially excels in sides that are set up to dominate possession and overcome deep defensive blocks. He is comfortable playing one-touch passes but also likes to hold the ball and scan the pitch around him before releasing it.

The 25-year-old had a 91% pass completion and an 82% long pass completion in La Liga last season. He also averaged 5.22 progressive passes per 90 along with 7.24 progressive carries. The stats also support the eye test that de Jong is an elite ball progressor.

When de Jong receives and turns, he looks to drive at opponents before reversing the ball back through the gap that has just been vacated. Absorbing pressure to free up his teammates is a signature Frenkie maneuver.