Manchester United fans are convinced footballer Frenkie de Jong is going to join the club in the summer after video footage showed the Barcelona player looking longingly at United players celebrating with the fans.
Last night saw the electric atmosphere of years gone by return to Old Trafford as Manchester United took on Barcelona and beat the La Liga leaders to progress to the next round of the UEFA Europa League.
With a narrow victory of 4-3 on aggregate after two second-half goals from United, courtesy of Fred and Antony, the players and fans celebrated together at the full-time whistle and footage from those celebrations appeared to show 25-year-old Dutchman de Jong watching on.
A clip shared on Twitter showed defender Raphaël Varane running over to supporters and receiving rapturous cheers and he punched his fist in the air.
Eagle-eyed viewers of the clip were quick to spot de Jong lurking in the background watching Varane celebrate United’s win.
De Jong has been rumoured to be coming to United since as early as last summer, but after this clip, fans appear to think this summer’s transfer window will finally be the one.
The TikTok has been viewed over 2.3 million times and in the comments, people were speculating.
One person wrote: “Look at de jong seeing what he missed out on.”
Someone else pointed out: “De Jong watching closely.”
Another argued: “De jong definitely coming in the summer bro feel in love.”
The video was also shared on Twitter with the caption: “Nah de jong is defo joining in the summer I’m certain of it, look at him.”
It’s believed United manager Erik ten Hag has wanted to sign his fellow countryman since his appointment at the club at the end of the 2021/22 season. Clearly, fans believe this time around it might actually happen.
Erik ten Hag reveals thoughts on Man Utd’s Europa League last-16 opponents Real Betis
Erik ten Hag has shared his thoughts on Real Betis as Manchester United prepare to face them in the Europa League last 16.
United beat Barcelona on Thursday night to set up the clash against another La Liga side as they attempt to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
The Red Devils faced Real Betis in a friendly during the Qatar World Cup, which the Spanish club won 1-0 against an experimental United team.
But Ten Hag’s side – who have looked impressive since the domestic season restarted – will head into the meeting as strong favourites.
‘I just heard and we played them in the pre-season after the winter break, and you know what you get from Spanish football,’ Ten Hag told the United website.
‘We faced it yesterday. It is a playing team, a skilful team, so we will have to play our best.
‘We also played Real Sociedad [in the group stages] this season and so we know, only when you play your best, you have a chance to survive and to get into the next round.
‘So, we will go deeper when we face them. First we have to put the energy and the focus into the next games, and games [after that].
‘First we have the Carabao Cup [final], the FA Cup and then the Premier League.’
Speaking after the 2-1 win over Barcelona in the previous round at Old Trafford on Thursday, Ten Hag added: ‘The Europa League? We don’t dream about European trophies. That’s far ahead.
‘On Sunday, we have a great opportunity to win a trophy [against Newcastle United].
‘We will give everything to win that trophy. From now on, our focus is on that game.
‘It doesn’t matter to me [about the draw]. I focus on Newcastle United, it is the only thing that counts.’
SOURCE: indy100, metro
