Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong left red-faced as Man Utd refusal co…

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Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been left to make a splash in the Champions League group stage after he rejected a move to Manchester United in the summer. However, he was ruing his decision to remain at the Nou Camp after Barca were dumped out on Wednesday.

United’s long-winded pursuit of De Jong dominated the summer transfer window as Erik ten Hag desperately attempted to start his rebuild by reuniting with the 25-year-old. But he was never concretely interested in a switch, reportedly citing Champions League football as a primary reason.

De Jong snubbed a switch to Old Trafford to fight for his future at Barcelona, with United only being able to offer Europa League football this season. And there were suggestions Chelsea had the upper hand in the race for his signature because of their involvement in Europe’s elite club competition.

However, De Jong has been left red-faced after Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League group stage for the second successive season on Wednesday. Inter Milan won 4-0 against Viktoria Plzen before the Dutchman started the 3-0 rout at the hands of Bayern Munich in Catalonia, condemning the Blaugrana to Europa League football.

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De Jong turned down the chance to be at the core of Ten Hag’s long-term project at United, with the caveat of spending one season in the Europa League. But he’s found himself in the same competition later in the season with a far more limited role than he would’ve had under his former boss.

United reacted to De Jong’s snub by splashing £70million on Real Madrid’s Casemiro, who is helping Ten Hag realise his football vision in England. But as long as the ex-Ajax midfielder struggles to nail down a place at Barcelona while their Champions League status is far from concrete, there will be the hope he becomes tempted to switch allegiances.

United could welcome De Jong to Old Trafford with Barcelona if they are forced to play a Europa League knockout play-off round after the World Cup break. The Red Devils are currently second in Group E, with runners-up facing a third-placed team dropping down from the Champions League instead of a round of 32.

Ten Hag will be keen to navigate past Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night, leaving a decisive trip to Real Sociedad on the cards next week. If La Real make it five wins from five against Omonoia Nicosia, United must beat them by more than one goal to topple them as group winners and avoid a daunting play-off tie.

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