Former Liverpool and Netherlands winger Ryan Babel claims that a move to Manchester United would be a ‘step down’ for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
In turn, Babel has urged De Jong against making such a move at this point of his career.
Manchester United spent over 100 days chasing the Netherlands international during the summer. Erik ten Hag didn’t get his wish but decided to sign Casemiro as an alternative, which is a decision that has gone down well with fans at Old Trafford.
There is nothing to suggest that United are still in the hunt to sign De Jong, who has featured on 17 occasions for Barcelona so far this season. The links will remain but I think the ship has sailed for United when it comes to De Jong.
Speaking to MyBettingSites, as per the Manchester Evening News, Babel said: “For Frenkie I would not recommend United in all honesty. At least not today.
“He needs a team that wants to play football, proper football on the ground. Yes, Man United has a coach that eventually if he has the right players can do that.
“They have so far shown signs that Erik ten Hag knows what to do, but by far it is not the level as what he has done in Ajax. So for Frenkie personally, if you go from Barcelona to United, I think that is a step down.
“In terms of technical aspects, I prefer to see him in a team like [Manchester] City, or even Arsenal as well.”
