Danny Murphy praises ‘super talent’ Frenkie de Jong as United reignite interest in the midfielder

Danny Murphy has warned Liverpool should be ‘worried’ at Manchester United’s attempts to sign ‘super talent’ Frenke de Jong from Barcelona.

Erik ten Hag was keen to bring the Dutch midfielder to Old Trafford last summer after the pair worked together at Ajax, but he could not be pried away from Barcelona.

There is a chance the move could happen in the next window though, as the Catalan Giants have been told they need to raise £178 million to re-enter the transfer window.

Recent reports have suggested de Jong, who was involved in a fiesty clash with Vincius Junior during Monday’s El Clasico clash, is keen on playing alongside United’s star midfielder Casemiro.

For Sporstmail columnist Murphy, who made over 300 Premier League appearances in midfield, de Jong could be an excellent addition for United.   

Frenkie de Jong is being chased by Manchester United again after they failed to sign him last summer

Erik ten Hag is a big fan of De Jong after previously managing him when they were at Ajax

‘I tell you what is worrying from a Liverpool point of view,’ he told Rio Ferdinand’s Five YouTube channel, ‘that relationship between Erik ten Hag and Frenkie de Jong, because he is a player.

‘Barcelona have got to sell some players. They need to recoup over £100m and De Jong would get them a big chunk of that if they let him go.’

Murphy felt that the 25-year-old would be a good fit at United, as he explained: ‘In effect, De Jong would play where Christian Eriksen is playing alongside Casemiro and Eriksen would be used more of a squad player.

‘That’s probably why they went for Eriksen when they didn’t get De Jong because they’re both creative. De Jong is more athletic and a bit better receiving the ball but they are similar.

Danny Murphy felt de Jong would work well alongside United’s star midfielder Casemiro

The former Liverpool star added that the 25-year-old Dutchman is a ‘super talent’

‘Frenkie de Jong is a super talent and he would be a big, big addition for them. It would be a really big addition for Manchester United.’

 Even without the highly-rated Dutchman, the Red Devils have been flying in recent weeks and picked up their first trophy of the ten Hag era last week with a 2-0 win over Newcastle in the League Cup final.

They are fighting in a further three competitions after knocking de Jong’s Barca out of the Europa League and coming from behind to beat West Ham in the FA Cup, while a win in their next  league game will put them just eight points off league leaders Arsenal. 

United face Liverpool on Sunday in a match that could be vital for both side’s league hopes for the rest of the season.