Gary Neville believes Manchester United will be left red-faced if Frenkie de Jong ends up at Chelsea.
United are frustrated with how long it is taking to secure the signing of De Jong from Barcelona. MEN Sport understands that United have agreed a £71.5m fee for De Jong to join the club.
However, due to the Dutchman being owed millions in unpaid deferred wages, he is unwilling to make the move to Old Trafford and progress has stalled. There is reportedly interest from Chelsea in the signature of the 25-year-old and it has been mooted that the player would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.
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Speaking on Sky Sports' Friday Night Football, Neville expressed his concerns over De Jong and United. He said:" Manchester United struggled like they did last season, they have to pick up the baton but it is even more difficult. It’s become even more difficult the fact they haven’t got the players in as early as he [Erik ten Hag] wanted, he might still get them in the next couple of weeks.
"Manchester United will look like they’re incredibly smart if they get De Jong in for the money they wanted or they might look embarrassed if he goes to Chelsea. Then there’s the Cristiano Ronaldo situation complicated by Martial, he’s not had the ideal point of view of settling in, I think a Manchester United manager is always under pressure but as a United fan, I’m not placing any real pressure on Erik ten Hag.
"You see [Mikel] Arteta tonight, he’s been there three seasons, spent millions of pounds, this is the season he has to deliver this doesn’t feel like the moment Ten Hag is faced with since coming in and the fact he’s not quite got the players he wants. I know he says he’s happy with the squad but he can’t be because he does want other players we know that so he can’t quite be happy.
"I think he’s had a really good impact on the players and what he’ll do is maximise their potential and talent and that’s all he can do at the moment."
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