Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Frenkie de Jong lights up Barcelona friendly to send Man Utd transfer message

mirror.co.uk, 7 August 2022, 21:34
De Jong has been the subject of interest from Manchester United all summer, but has refused to join the Premier League giants as he looks to stay with Barcelona Frenkie de Jong starred in Barcelona's final game of pre-season

Frenkie de Jong lit up Barcelona 's final friendly of pre-season to further show Manchester United that he is happy to stay at the Nou Camp.

Barca hosted Mexican side Pumas UNAM in the Joan Gamper Trophy in their last match before getting their La Liga season underway next week. De Jong started on the bench, with Barca boss Xavi instead selecting a midfield of Gavi, Pedri and Sergio Busquets to start the game.

But the Dutchman was brought on at half-time, replacing Gavi in the hosts' midfield trio. He duly delivered a starring performance as Barca eased to a 6-0 hammering of their Liga MX opponents.

Just eight minutes after coming on, he picked the ball up deep from fellow substitute Jordi Alba. The 25-year-old turned, before bursting away from two Pumas defenders and into the opposition half.

He carried the ball past the halfway circle, before poking the ball with the outside of his boot in a brilliant pass to Ansu Fati, though the winger's cross was unable to reach any of his team-mates. De Jong followed that brilliant piece of skill up with a goal of his own in the rout.

The strike came with six minutes remaining of the game, when he tackled Marco Garcia on the edge of the Pumas box. Having gone one-on-one with the keeper, De Jong at first dummied with this right foot before putting the ball into the bottom corner.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Manchester United give up their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong? Comment below.

It was a performance that would appear to signal that De Jong is still keen to put his all into every Barca appearance. That would be another blow to Manchester United, who remain keen to sign the 25-year-old, but have seen a deal stall.

The main reason for that it De Jong's unwillingness to move to Old Trafford, even though he would be an automatic starter under Erik ten Hag. Based on his performance at the Nou Camp on Sunday night, he is a player United could well do with, especially in light of their disastrous opening day defeat to Brighton.

But as he praised his side for a successful pre-season, Xavi made it clear that he wanted to see De Jong stay. Barca have insisted that can only happen if he takes a pay cut, with Xavi admitting that he could still leave despite his wishes for the Dutchman.

"I don't know what will happen to Frenkie, until the 31st of August anyone can move. He knows what I think of him and what the club wants from him. Of course I do count on him, he's a great player," the Barca boss said.

"We have a lot of competition for the starting positions. With this intensity and desire levels, we're doing well. Intensity is indisputable. However, there are a lot of things we have to improve.

"I'm happy and we want to continue like this. We had a good pre-season in terms of matches and results. The feelings are good. Overall, we had a good pre-season. It was dynamic, with good football, and good results. The sensations are very good."

Top News

23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to his starting lineup for this evening's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Portsmouth's trip to Blackburn was postponed less than four hours before kick-off on Saturday. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after grabbing the throat of Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Devyne Rensch next summer, with the Netherlands international potentially being available on a free transfer. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the club will not make any firm plans when it comes to the January transfer window until after their clash with Sevilla on December 22. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Fernandez marked his return to the starting XI with a goal and an assist as Chelsea ran out deserved 2-1 winners over Leicester City in Saturday lunchtime's Premier League kickoff at the King Power Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Mikel Arteta left Arsenal fans confused with a much-changed starting XI to face Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has insisted Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are best served to stay put for the time being despite being linked with moves away from the club. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has lavished praise on Mason Mount and suggested that the Englishman will be an important player for him at Old Trafford. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mary's is the venue for Sunday's meeting between the Premier League's leaders and basement boys, as Liverpool take on 20th-placed Southampton in a 2pm kickoff. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com The second half in Chelsea's clash against Leicester City was delayed due to two officials being forced to change their roles. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has not made the starting lineup for the Gunners' Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, but Mikel Arteta has sprung a couple of surprises. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ex-Premier League striker Darren Bent could not believe Wilfred Ndidi escaped a red card against Chelsea. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained why Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto were left out of his squad to face Leicester City. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Christopher Nkunku is unhappy with the little game time he receives at Chelsea and is considering his future, according to reports. 23 November 2024 talksport.com New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he is a huge fan of Mason Mount. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is facing a couple of critical decisions for Monday's Premier League fixture with Newcastle United at St James' Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca has made several surprise inclusions in his Chelsea XI for Saturday's Premier League fixture at Leicester City. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe will be unable to call upon Dan Burn for Monday's Premier League clash with West Ham United at St James' Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to win three straight Premier League games for the first time in over 12 months, Newcastle United host a troubled West Ham United at St James' Park in Monday's Premier League offering. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Brentford may have managed to seamlessly replace Ivan Toney with Bryan Mbeumo, but this might not be a long-term solution. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of Reece James' latest hamstring injury. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly been handed a boost in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane set a new Bundesliga record on Friday, eclipsing a feat previous held by Erling Haaland in the process. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both stuck inside Serie A's drop zone and facing a season-long scrap for survival, Venezia and Lecce will meet at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Monday evening. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Trailing their visitors by one point in the Serie A standings, Empoli will attempt to leapfrog Udinese with a win at Stadio Castellani on Monday evening. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves.