Journalist reveals why Barcelona captain rejected Manchester United in 2022 | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong is currently one of the seniormost members of the Barcelona team, having racked up almost 300 competitive appearances since joining the club in 2019.

However, his career trajectory could have panned out very differently, as in 2022, he was strongly courted by Manchester United, then coached by Erik ten Hag.

While Manchester United pushed aggressively for the Dutchman’s signature, new details from journalist Andy Mitten have shed light on exactly how close the midfielder came to a Premier League move and why he ultimately chose to stay at Barcelona.

Why de Jong rejected Man United

According to Mitten, as relayed by SPORT, Erik ten Hag was so convinced he could sway his former Ajax star that he explicitly told the United hierarchy to “leave Frenkie in my hands.”

The possibility of a high-profile reunion at Old Trafford was a very real topic of discussion, and for a brief period, the midfielder was genuinely intrigued by the prospect of competing in the Premier League under a manager who understood his game intimately.

De Jong wanted to prove himself at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, the allure of the English top flight was not enough to pull him away from Catalonia. De Jong felt a deep sense of unfinished business at the club.

His sporting ambitions were centred on winning more titles in the Blaugrana colours and the desire to experience playing in a fully renovated and packed Spotify Camp Nou.

Beyond footballing goals, his personal life played a decisive role in ensuring he remains at Barcelona. Moreover, de Jong’s family was already fully settled and happy in Barcelona as well.

This domestic stability, combined with his unwavering belief in the club’s long-term project, led him to prioritise his life in Spain over a move to Manchester.

De Jong, of course, is currently nursing an injury and won’t take any risks, as he looks to remain fully fit for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.