Story byMan United legend urges club to revive Barcelona captain’s pursuit – ‘He can improve the team’Barca UniversalFri, January 16, 2026 at 11:50 AM UTC·2 min readManchester United legend Jaap Stam has openly suggested that the Old Trafford outfit should look towards Frenkie de Jong, even though the Barcelona captain has committed his future to the Catalan club. With Michael Carrick now in charge at Old Trafford, Stam believes the winter transfer window could offer a short-term solution to United’s lack of control and quality in midfield. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom his perspective, adding an established player like De Jong could immediately lift the team’s performance.“My dream signing for Manchester United in the January transfer window would be Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona,” suggested Stam as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. Revive the interestStam then explained why the Dutch midfielder remains such an attractive option, especially given United’s current struggles in possession and build-up play.“United should always look for players who can improve the team’s play, and Frenkie has been on the club’s wish list since Erik ten Hag was in charge” at Old Trafford. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe former defender’s admiration for De Jong is not just based on watching him from afar. Stam has urged United to sign Frenkie de Jong. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/)Stam revealed that he knows the midfielder well from his early days in the Netherlands and believes his qualities would directly address United’s weaknesses.“I worked a lot with Frenkie when he was young at Ajax, and he really is someone who can improve the team’s play because he is very comfortable on the ball.“He has great running ability, is creative, and finds accurate passes when he has the ball, something United needs right now,” he listed. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA Barcelona leaderWhile Stam’s comments will excite United fans, the reality is far more complex. De Jong signed a contract extension with Barcelona last year that runs until 2029. At 28, he is not only one of the leaders in the dressing room but also a key figure in Hansi Flick’s system. That status was evident in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid, where De Jong played a decisive role and once again showed his value in high-pressure matches.
