Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong ‘disgusted’ as Marcus Rashford sent warning
Manchester United edged a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Cypriot minnows Omonia Nicosia on Thursday to stay in control of their Europa League fate, and must quickly turn their attention to the visit of Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.
Away from the pitch, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly ‘disgusted’ at his Camp Nou situation despite turning down the opportunity to join the Red Devils in the summer. Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford has been sent a warning by Erik ten Hag, while the Dutchman has been advised to offer David de Gea a new long-term contract.
‘Disgusted’ Frenkie de Jong speaks out
De Jong is reportedly ‘disgusted’ at his treatment by Barcelona this season after being made to believe that he would become a focal point of the side under Xavi.
The Dutchman turned down the opportunity to join United in the summer in what was one of the biggest transfer sagas in recent years, and after getting his wish to remain at Camp Nou, things haven’t panned out how he wanted them to.
According to Sport, the Netherlands international expected to play a ‘decisive’ role for the Blaugrana this term, but has only managed a mere four starts from a possible 12. Notably named on the bench for Barcelona’s must-win Champions League tie at home Inter Milan on Wednesday, the former Ajax ace has been left fuming with Xavi.
Marcus Rashford sent warning after Omonia failure
United forward Rashford has been warned by Ten Hag that he must be more clinical if he wants to remain a regular starter after failing to convert a single one of his 10 shots on goal against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.
The Red Devils took until the 93rd minute to break down the Cypriot minnows in their Europa League clash at Old Trafford in midweek, having wasted a number of opportunities to take the lead earlier on in the tie. Now, Ten Hag has sent a warning to his players – and Rashford in particular.
The manager said of the Englishman: “He did a lot of things well, but finally he knows that he has to be more clinical and he had to score a goal. When you have such good movements and make such good combinations, good actions, then you have to finish.”
Erik ten Hag told to consider David de Gea future
United No.1 De Gea may not be the ball-playing goalkeeper that Ten Hag is looking for, but his recent performances have prompted Rio Ferdinand to claim he deserves a new contract.
De Gea has featured in all of United’s Europa League fixtures this season, with summer signing Martin Dubravka yet to taste a single minute of action for the Red Devils. The Spaniard’s performance against Omonia on Thursday backed up Ferdinand’s claim that Ten Hag should reconsider his long-term future.
“I would give him a contract. I think his character speaks a lot”, the Man United legend told BT Sport of De Gea, adding: “He’s good enough, I think, with his feet, but his biggest strength is his shot-stopping. That’s what he’s there [for].”
