Jaap Stam has offered to assist Manchester United in securing a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, describing the Dutch international as a 'world-class' player who would be an ideal fit for the club. The former United defender made the comments amid growing speculation about the Red Devils' summer transfer plans, with central midfield identified as a key priority.
United's Summer Transfer Focus
Manchester United invested heavily in their attack last summer, spending around £200 million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. They also signed goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for £18 million to replace the error-prone Andre Onana. With Champions League qualification secured, attention has turned to strengthening the midfield.
Several high-profile names have been linked, including England duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, as well as Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Tyler Adams, Alex Scott, and Mateus Fernandes. However, Stam believes United should revive their interest in De Jong, who they missed out on in 2022.
Stam's Endorsement of De Jong
'Frenkie de Jong would be the ideal player for Man Utd, I think, to help them out because he's so good on the ball,' Stam told ComeOn. 'We can discuss his physique in the Premier League, maybe, because if you go into one-vs-ones or the tackling part of it and the physical part, then of course he's not the biggest, but he's a very good player.'
Stam added that De Jong's ball control and ability to dictate play from deep would suit Michael Carrick's style. 'I think looking at Michael Carrick, how he wants to play, he also wants players who can control the game with the ball at their feet and be very dominant. Then you don't need to defend very much.'
'Frenkie, yeah, he's a world-class player. He's one of the best midfield players there is, and he's very comfortable on the ball, especially playing out from the back and dictating that and helping the team out to go forward and get into the final third to score goals.'
Stam even joked about his willingness to help: 'If the opportunity was there for United, I would help them out. I'll go on my bike to Barcelona and bring him to United, no problem.'
Interest in Micky van de Ven
United have also been linked with De Jong's Netherlands teammate Micky van de Ven, whose future at Tottenham is uncertain after a poor season. Stam believes Van de Ven would be a 'great player' for United, but warned of competition.
'Micky van de Ven is ready to step up. I think he's very good at adapting to a certain level. And every time he picks that up, if he makes the next step to a higher level, then he becomes a better player himself,' Stam said. 'He can play as a left-back, he can play as a centre-back. Those type of players in your squad are ideal, I think, for a manager in making choices.'
Stam Backs Carrick for Full-Time Job
Stam also praised Michael Carrick for transforming United's fortunes after Ruben Amorim's turbulent reign. He believes Carrick deserves the full-time managerial role.
'I think it's very hard not to give Michael Carrick the job, I think he deserves it. If you look at when he stepped in, how the team was playing, and what he's changed within the group and the club,' Stam said. 'I cannot imagine that the owners would go for somebody else.'
Stam argued that experienced managers have failed at United in the post-Ferguson era, and it is time to give Carrick a chance. 'Otherwise, you never gain experience. Not experience at a big club like United. You can have some experience leading other teams, of course, but to lead a club like United, you need to do that to get that experience.'
