"He's got unique quality" - Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag heaps praises on Barcelona player ahead of Europa League fixture

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has lauded Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong ahead of the two sides' clash in the Europa League playoffs. The Red Devils head to the Camp Nou to face the Blaugrana in the first leg on Thursday (February 16).

Some of European football's top star names will be on display, including Barca's De Jong. The Dutchman was previously managed by Ten Hag at Ajax. He was just at the start of his career and emerging as one of Europe's top midfield talents. The midfielder made 59 appearances under Ten Hag, scoring three goals and contributing four assists.

The Manchester United manager has praised the qualities De Jong possesses. He said in his pre-match press conference (via Manchester Evening News):

"Frenkie is an incredible, good player and he would strengthen any squad in the world. He's got unique quality."

Ten Hag made De Jong his top transfer target during last summer's transfer window. The Red Devils even reportedly agreed an €85 million deal for the Dutch midfielder. However, he was keen to remain at Barcelona. He has featured 26 times across competitions, scoring two goals and contributing an assist since rejecting the chance to join his former coach at Old Trafford.

The duo will have fond memories of working with one another at Ajax. De Jong won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup in 2019 under Ten Hag. He was also part of the Amsterdam side that impressed en route to the UEFA Champions League semifinals that year.

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Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen reveals role he played in preventing De Jong joining Manchester United

Ter Stegen urged De Jong to remain with the Blaugrana.

Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen has revealed that he advised De Jong to stay at the Camp Nou when Manchester United were interested in signing him. The German shot-stopper said that he hoped that De Jong would remain with the Blaugrana:

"I was hoping he would stay because this is the type of player I want to have in my team. There were many rumours, discussions and whatever but I am just happy that he is here, and I don’t want him to leave."

Ter Stegen then touched on how he wants De Jong to stay with Barcelona in the long term:

"I want to make very clear, when I talked to him I tried to (make him stay). One day, I will just put him in something here (he pretends to tie a rope around a chair leg) to keep him here always. I hope he will be here for a long time."

De Jong has three years left on his contract with the Blaugrana. It remains to be seen if Manchester United come back for the player in the future.