Frenkie de Jong once described Cristiano Ronaldo as a "top player" amid the mounting possibility that they could become teammates at Manchester United.
United, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, are hopeful of soon reaching an agreement with Barcelona to bring the central midfielder to Old Trafford. United registered their interest in the Netherlands international more than a month ago and talks have been ongoing for several weeks.
Erik ten Hag has set his heart on being reunited with De Jong in Manchester, identifying him as his top target to strengthen his side's midfield options. It is believed that the former Ajax manager plans to build his midfield around the 25-year-old.
READ MORE: Manchester United players return for pre-season training
De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax in the summer of 2019, has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in Europe over the last few years, playing alongside some of the best players to have ever graced the game, including Lionel Messi. Although the Dutchman has gone up through the gears at Barcelona, it was at Ajax, working with Ten Hag, where he first started to make a name for himself.
The club's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2018/19 was the making of De Jong, just as it was for several of his former teammates. They got the better of Real Madrid and Juventus on their way to the last four, before eventually being beaten in dramatic circumstances by Tottenham Hotspur.
And it was ahead of the quarter-final showdown with Juventus where De Jong hailed Ronaldo. Ajax entered the first leg, despite toppling Madrid in the round prior, as massive underdogs and De Jong felt his side's chances of progressing to the semi-finals would be boosted if Ronaldo, who was struggling with an injury, missed out.
"I hope that Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from his injury and plays," De Jong told De Telegraaf, speaking back in 2019. "He's a top player and although the chances of us winning are greater [if Juventus] are without him, I want to play against and beat the best players."
Ronaldo, who scored 24 goals for United last term, was deemed fit for the clash with Ajax and, unsurprisingly, got his name on the scoresheet, handing Juventus the lead, ahead of Ajax hitting back and earning a 1-1 draw. Ronaldo restored Juventus' lead on aggregate in the second leg, but Ajax, once again, hit back, securing a 2-1 win on the night and a 3-2 victory on aggregate.
Having spoken so glowingly about Ronaldo, De Jong, should he complete a move to Old Trafford, will no doubt be relishing the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the Portuguese star and classing him as a teammate. Should it happen, De Jong will be fortunate enough to have played with both Messi and Ronaldo.
READ NEXT:
- Manchester United and Barcelona hopeful of Frenkie de Jong transfer agreement soon
- Luke Shaw returned to Manchester United training facing familiar transfer question
- Seven Manchester United players could secure pre-season tour places this week
- Alejandro Garnacho returns to Manchester United early
- All the very latest Manchester United news, views and transfer updates
