'We want Frenkie? I didn't know!´ - Ten Hag relaxed during De Jong chase, adamantly Man Utd don't p

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag would rather develop the players he has than sign the wrong man if the club fail in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.

United have been closely linked with Barcelona midfielder De Jong for months, with reports of their interest even before Ten Hag was officially appointed in April.

De Jong enjoyed his breakthrough at Ajax under Ten Hag, playing a key role in the side that nearly reached the 2018-19 Champions League final.

He moved to Barca in 2019 but arguably didn't reach the level that many initially expected of him when he moved to Camp Nou.

Ten Hag has apparently seen the acquisition of De Jong as vital to the way he wants United to play, and media have reported that the club agreed a fee with Barca last month.

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However, it is claimed that Barca owe De Jong millions of euros in deferred wages, and he is apparently refusing to leave the club - which needs a big sale to ease its financial problems - until that an agreement is reached.

While some fans may be urging United to move on and sign an alternative, Ten Hag has suggested that is not an option.

"We want Frenkie? I didn't know," he told reporters with a smile on Friday. "We want the good players, but I can't comment on players contracted to other clubs.

"When we have news, we will bring it."

He added: "You work with the current team, you develop players who are part of your current team. At the moment, the players in this position have performed very well [in pre-season]."< /p>

While the De Jong saga shows no signs of ending, United have been able to add promising left-back Tyrell Malacia, versatile Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen to the squad.

Given United seemed to lack quality last season and eight first-team players have since left, many expected the club to be much busier on the transfer front.

Ralf Rangnick, who was caretaker manager for the second half of last season, suggested during his tenure that the team needed 10 new players, but they didn't even bring in half that number.

De Jong aside, United are rumored to be keen on signing another striker, right winger and potentially right-back, but again Ten Hag insisted panic buying won't satisfy him .

When asked if he was frustrated that he hadn't strengthened all the areas he wanted, Ten Hag replied, "It would be a good situation, but I'm happy with the current team, they are progressing well.

"I'm happy with the signings so far. You don't just need players, you need the right players. That's the goal, and we're working together."

Ten Hag was then asked if he'd rather not sign if he wasn't exactly who he wanted, and his answer was unequivocal.

"If it's not the right player, no, I'm happy with the current team," he replied. "We need the right players."