How Man Utd will line up with Frenkie de Jong
FT Desk
- 21 Jun 2022 08:50 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are in negotiations to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The two clubs have been in talks for a number of weeks and, according to multiple sources, Man Utd are set to table an improved bid this week which will surpass the €70 million mark.
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So if De Jong does complete his move to Old Trafford, how will Man Utd line up in 2022-23?
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Man Utd XI with De Jong
First of all it must be stated that Man Utd are expected to spend heavily in the transfer market this summer so the below team could look very different by the end of the summer.
David de Gea should continue as goalkeeper, although there has been talk that new manager Erik ten Hag would prefer to sign someone who is better with his feet.
Ten Hag will likely sign a new right-back but for now Diogo Dalot will be the go-to option.
On the opposite flank, Luke Shaw should start – although his place is by no means assured either.
In the centre of defence, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire are first-choice for now but ten Hag will certainly sign a top centre-back who is likely to displace the Englishman.
In Ten Hag’s three-man midfield, De Jong will take his place in his favoured role at the base of the trio. This is a role he has mostly been unable to play in at Barcelona due to the presence of Sergio Busquets.
Fred or Scott McTominay will take the role as the hard-working midfielder, although there is the chance Man Utd will sign another player for this role.
Bruno Fernandes should be deployed as the attacking midfielder of the three expected to score and create goals, even if a 4-3-3 is not his ideal formation.
In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo will naturally lead the line accompanied by two wingers.
Ajax star Antony has been tipped to arrive from Ajax to take the right-wing berth. The left-wing role will probably go to Jadon Sancho, but there will be competition from Marcus Rashford.
