Jamie Carragher believes that long-term Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong would be a game-changing signing for Erik ten Hag's side.
The Dutchman is desperate to reunite with De Jong at Old Trafford after the playmaker played a crucial role for him at Ajax. De Jong was plucked from the Dutch champions back in the summer of 2019 by Barcelona, but is believed to be available for the right price this summer.
United have been locked in talks with the Spanish giants for months trying to thrash out a deal for the 25-year-old and have finally struck an agreement over a financial package worth around £70million in total. However, it is believed that the midfielder will need convincing to make the switch to Manchester - even though Barcelona are more than willing to offload him.
With no imminent conclusion on the horizon, the saga between De Jong and United looks set to rumble on - but Carragher is adamant that De Jong is worth the wait. And the Liverpool icon believes De Jong could make all the difference for Ten Hag in his first Premier League campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports on the situation, Carragher said: "It'll be interesting if they get De Jong. I do think he's a top-class player and I think he would make a huge difference for them."
Manchester United's midfield has lacked balance in recent years and Ten Hag's predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was slammed for not signing an elite holding midfielder last summer, when the club were looking to build on a second-placed finish. But Ten Hag has already made it clear that he is looking to finally amend that issue.
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Although the United chief would love to wrap up a deal for one of his most trusted Ajax lieutenants, Ten Hag admitted that he is only interested in signing "the right" holding midfielder - and that he was open to promoting from within his current squad if De Jong does shun a move to Old Trafford.
Speaking on the club's pre-season tour, Ten Hag said: “We're looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one.
“There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position. We need the right player. We have a list and we will strike the moment the player is available.”
