Why De Jong and Phillips would've been the perfect pairing for Man Utd
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 25 Jun 2022 10:42 CDT
- 5 min read
Manchester United have endured a slow start to the summer transfer window and have seen multiple targets pass them by.
The departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata has left their midfield looking threadbare, and Erik ten Hag is attempting to fix that by signing his former prodigy Frenkie de Jong.
De Jong, now at Barcelona, rose to prominence under Ten Hag's guidance at Ajax, and his form for the Eredivise giants earned him a move to Camp Nou in 2019. However, despite signs of promise, he's not hit the heights many expected in Spain, and he could leave the club this summer.
Man Utd have been heavily linked, with Ten Hag desperate to add De Jong to his squad ahead of next season. A deal is yet to be agreed, but it's clear that the Red Devils have put all the eggs in the De Jong basket. In fact, Sport have reported that negotiations between Man Utd and Barcelona have advanced over an €80m move.
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As a result of Man Ut'd focus on De Jong, targets such as Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazraoui have both chosen elsewhere, as has Kalvin Phillips.
The England international was a Man Utd target for some while, and although a move may have never occurred due to the rivalry between Leeds and the Old Trafford club, Phillips joining Manchester City is a blow for Ten Hag.
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Man City and Leeds have reached an agreement for Phillips to join the Etihad side for €49 million, which could rise over the €50m mark if bonus add-ons are met.
Phillips is expected to take the role of Fernandinho in the Man City squad, with the Brazilian leaving following the expiration of his contract. It's likely that the Englishman will play the role of back-up to Rodri, but with the amount of games crammed into next season due to the winter World Cup, minutes will be available.
However, not only could Man Utd have offered him more minutes, but the Red Devils could've formed a sensational double pivot with Phillips and De Jong.
Of course, the Old Trafford side may not have had the finances to sign both players, but the duo would've been perfect together. Ten Hag is reportedly building the team around De Jong, but having Phillips next to him in a double pivot would've helped massively.
The former Ajax head coach may yet change Man Utd's formation to a 4-3-3, but given the presence of Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek in the squad, he could yet stick with 4-2-3-1.
Kalvin Phillips and Frenkie de Jong
Man Utd's double pivot has been a huge area of concern over the past few years and signing De Jong goes some way to fixing that. But, the Dutchman is not the solution to all the club's problems.
A side once so solid at the back have now become leaky and easy to play through, which are two traits that fall at the feet of the midfield. For all the qualities and energy that Fred and Scott McTominay bring, the pair don't have the technical ability on the ball or the defensive awareness to play together effectively.
Fred could easily be used alongside De Jong and that could well be the pivot Ten Hag chooses ahead of next season. The Brazilian is a work-horse and makes up for his flaws in possession with excellent proactive defensive numbers. Essentially, he's been given license to press and win the ball back, which plays to his strengths.
However, Phillips would be an upgrade. The Leeds man is adept at playing a high frequency style of play under Marcelo Bielsa, but has also thrived under Gareth Southgate at England, playing in both a possession and counter-attacking side at times.
He possesses elite defensive attributes, and over the past year ranks in the top four percent of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for pressures (28.3 per 90), tackles (3.7 P90), and blocks (2.4 P90). Not only that, but he has the defensive discipline to hold a structural position. For all of Fred's high-energy work, he often leaves his position in midfield to press and this often leaves Man Utd exposed.
Phillips, on the other hand, has huge experience of almost holding down the midfield by himself at Leeds, with Rodrigo and Mateusz Klich playing extremely advanced, rather than alongside him.
Combine Phillips' defensive nous, positional awareness and ball-winning ability with De Jong's immense progressive numbers and there's the making of a perfect midfield duo.
Man Utd won't end up with Phillips this summer, and prioritising De Jong may end up being a smart piece of business, but if resources had been spread around they could've ended up with one Europe's best midfield partnerships.
