Manchester United are likely continuing to monitor Frenkie de Jong’s situation at Barcelona after failing to sign the 25-year-old at Old Trafford in the transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Erik ten Hag made the former Ajax star his number one target after taking the reigns of the club this summer but fell short in his attempts to complete a deal.

What happened with De Jong?

There was plenty of excitement among supporters when The Athletic reported that United had agreed a £63 million transfer fee with Barcelona for his signature.

However, the move was more complex than it first appeared, with De Jong in the midst of a dispute with the Catalan giants over deferred wages.

President Joan Laporta claimed that the contract offered to the Netherlands international was done illegally by his predecessor, and was effectively null and void.

It had also been reported that the player had no interest in leaving the Camp Nou in the transfer market and would only consider a move to a Champions League side.

But transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has recently reported that the Red Devils will keep an eye on the £164,000 per-week star moving forward ahead of the January window.

What has O’Rourke said on the situation?

O’Rourke is sure that United will continue to monitor De Jong ahead of winter.

The journalist says the midfielder was their number one target this summer and that failing to bring him in was a setback.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I'm sure Manchester United are continuing to monitor the Frenkie de Jong situation at Barcelona. It, obviously, was a blow for United not to be able to get that deal over the line because he was their number one target.”

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Should United keep pursuing De Jong?

It seems a long shot that a deal will be completed in January, particularly with De Jong wanting Champions League football.

However, hope should not be lost in their pursuit just yet.

Ten Hag has now overseen four wins in a row as United manager and they seem to be building some momentum under the former Ajax boss.

If, by the end of the season, the Red Devils have returned to Europe’s top competition, then a move to Old Trafford may well appeal to De Jong once again.

But in the meantime, United have completed the signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid to bolster their options in the middle of the park.