Man Utd targets De Jong and Memphis are in England - here's why
James Shearman
- 29 Aug 2022 16:05 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United targets Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay have left Barcelona for England, according to reports.
De Jong, in particular, has been one of United's key targets all summer, but talks have stalled in recent days.
The Dutch midfielder has never wanted to leave Barcelona, but could have been pushed away as the club need to raise funds.
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Barca have been able to register all five of their new signings, however, and other players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are close to leaving.
La Blaugrana's need to sell has diminished as a result, and De Jong looks all the more likely to remain at Camp Nou.
Although, Spanish television show El Chiringuito TV spotted the midfielder, as well as Depay, at the airport, ahead of a trip to England.
The pair are visiting London for the wedding of Man Utd's Donny van de Beek, though that might not be the only reason for being on English soil.
How could Man Utd line up with De Jong & Depay?
In goal, David de Gea will continue, despite his poor start to the season, as United have no competitors, with the best alternative – Dean Henderson – out on loan at Nottingham Forest. However, they may add a reinforcement before the window shuts.
In defence, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will start at full-back; Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s style doesn’t exactly suit Erik ten Hag’s team, while Malacia will start ahead of the struggling Luke Shaw.
In the centre, the pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane is likely, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire there to back up.
Midfield will see the biggest changes, as Casemiro will slot into the defensive midfield role, filling up a gap that’s been there in the United team for several years.
He’d be playing alongside De Jong, which would see Christian Eriksen, Fred and Scott McTominay demoted to the bench.
💣💣¡NOTICIA BOMBA!💣💣
✈️FRENKIE DE JONG, dirección LONDRES.
🎥 @10JoseAlvarezhttps://t.co/D7dqcx1x2q pic.twitter.com/HCYgik50FL— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) August 29, 2022
Ahead of them is Bruno Fernandes, who has been out of form for a while, but can still contribute to the team, as showcased in the win over Southampton.
The attack needs to start firing again and on the wings will be the duo of Jadon Sancho and new-signing Antony.
And leading the line will be Depay, instead of Marcus Rashford, who has replaced wantaway star and last season's top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo under Ten Hag.
