Long time target Frenkie de Jong makes Barcelona intentions clear amid Manchester United transfer interest.

Man United are open to making another approach for Frenkie de Jong after their failed attempt to sign him in last summer’s transfer window.

United spent the bulk of the last summer transfer window trying to tempt De Jong away from the Camp Nou to reunite him with former boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The midfielder was a key component of the manager’s Ajax side that nearly reached the 2019 Champions League final and was seen as equally important for the rebuild project in Manchester.

United agreed a fee with Barcelona for De Jong last year but a transfer didn’t materialise. The deferred wages owed to De Jong by Barcelona proved to be a significant stumbling block, while the player never publicly suggested that he wanted to leave the Spanish club.

Frenkie de Jong has admitted he wants to stay at Barcelona for “many years”, all but ending any faint hopes Manchester United may have still harboured in signing the Dutchman.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the midfield maestro ever since Erik ten Hag was handed the reins at Old Trafford, with the United boss incredibly familiar with De Jong’s game from the pair’s shared time at Ajax. However, a deal failed to materialise last summer despite the two parties agreeing a transfer fee.

Though Ten Hag appeared reluctant, United finally forfeited the chase and instead turned to Spain’s other giant club to recruit Casemiro instead. The Brazilian has been sublime since his arrival from Real Madrid and completely transformed United’s midfield.

Yet, Ten Hag would still like to bolster his midfield ranks further in 2023 and would be open to making another approach for his fellow Dutchman. However, it sounds like De Jong’s answer will remain the same.

He’s a fantastic player and has become even better. Playing out from the back, he always has time.

Ten hag “It was a pleasure working with him. He would strengthen any squad in the world. He’s got unique quality.”

Despite the flattering remarks, it would appear as if De Jong has finally ended the speculation surrounding his potential move to Manchester once and for all.

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Sevilla sporting director Monchi believes Manchester United are the favourites following the Europa League draw pitting the six-time champions against Erik ten Hag’s team.

Friday plotted out the potential path to May’s final in Budapest, Hungary. A two-legged tie versus Seville’s other top-flight side follows knocking out Real Betis in the round of 16, and, should United succeed in doing so once again, it is either Paul Pogba’s Juventus or Sporting CP, who shocked Arsenal in the last round, that will stand between Ten Hag stands and another chance at a trophy.

Despite recent history being in their favour, Monchi is more than willing to dub their opponents the favourites. “If you ask me if there is a favourite, it is Manchester [United],” he told the Spanish national newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“We have to recover injured players, and, with that, we will increase competitiveness. A team that has won six Europa League has also done so from suffering and with difficult matches. No one has to show us the way.”

Alejandro Garnacho’s celebration after Manchester United knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League last month is clearly still hurting one player.

At this point, United may as well set up a second training ground in Spain, with the Premier League side seemingly spending as much time in the continental country as their own.

In the group stages of the Europa League, United faced Real Sociedad, travelling for the away game in the final round of games.

An inability to beat them by more than a goal left Erik ten Hag’s side facing Barcelona in the play off stage, dispatching them over two entertaining legs by four goals to three.

Yes. Everyone is as they are, but at that time, it should not have been possible to post something like that,” the Barca defender told Infobae.

“I respect everyone and I feel that humility should be ahead of everything. Everyone expresses themselves as they want, but I prefer to have a lower profile and then show what I do on the pitch.

“This is football, he is very young and there is still a long way to go. You have to proceed calmly and humbly.”

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Marcel Sabitzer was signed to provide cover and he was a solid fill-in during Casemiro’s first suspension, with Scott McTominay also out.

Sabitzer has been out injured for the last two games though, and even with a sudden recovery, McTominay will likely be ahead of him for the Fulham game.

He has been named in the upcoming Austria squad, suggesting his injury is not serious and that he will be available for the three league games after the break.

The Austria international made his debut for Man Utd on February 4 in their win over Crystal Palace. He will have to prove he can succeed for Ten Hag on the pitch over the next few months.

In turn, it will be interesting to see whether he could extend his Man Utd career by means of a permanent transfer. TEAMtalk understands such an outcome is possible.

Sabitzer signed for Man Utd on loan for the rest of the season on the final day of the January transfer window. The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich to account for an injury to Christian Eriksen.

There was plenty of competition for Sabitzer’s signature, despite his downturn in fortunes with Bayern. Ultimately, he set his heart on a move to Man Utd.

Yet his transfer was not a foregone conclusion. According to Romano, Sabitzer was on the radar of Newcastle United as well.

Romano told his YouTube channel: “The player was offered to Chelsea, was not discussed by Chelsea, so Chelsea were not interested in signing Marcel Sabitzer in the final hours of the market.

“Man Utd were really interested because Chelsea were busy with Enzo Fernandez. Man Utd wanted Marcel Sabitzer as a priority target, but also the player was really keen on Man Utd. The player was not considering other options.

On loan Sabitzer has only a limited time to prove himself to Manchester United, and this could be the opportunity he has been waiting for.

Marcel Sabitzer was part of the group, after his recent lay-off, which is great news considering Casemiro is set to begin a domestic four-game ban at the weekend, when Fulham provide the opposition in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final.

Victor Lindelof, who was ill at the weekend, joined the squad in the chilly conditions, while Anthony Martial looks to be continuing his progress in a bid to return to action for the first time since the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg victory over Nottingham Forest.

Scott McTominay and Fred have not started a game for Manchester United together since the opening day of the season defeat to Brighton.

Now a lack of other options may reunite the pairing which was once Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s first choice.

The pairing is tried and tested, unspectacular, but a known quantity. McTominay in particular will have a point to prove, having been selected to start only one Premier League game in 2023.

He was injured the last time Casemiro was suspended, and this time United will need him to step up. He is the most likely to start against Fulham.

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