Marcus Rashford praises Frenkie de Jong’s power after Manchester United transfer saga

The United Academy graduate seems to have settled in well at his new club and recently shared his thoughts on his teammates in a new video.

Marcus Rashford surprised by Frenkie de Jong’s underappreciated strength

Having now spent a couple of months at Barcelona, Rashford has worked his way into Hansi Flick’s preferred starting lineup.

During a recent appearance on the Collectibol TikTok channel, Rashford fielded several questions about his new teammates.

He named Robert Lewandowski as the top finisher, Yamal as the best dribbler and Gavi as the best passer. But when asked who surprised him with their strength, Rashford chose Frenkie de Jong.

Back in 2023, De Jong was heavily linked with Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag eager to bring him in. However, outstanding wages at Barcelona made a move unlikely, as De Jong wasn’t willing to leave without resolving that issue.

Even so, some had questioned whether he’d be physically suited to English football. That’s one criticism that Rashford seems to have put to rest with his latest comments.

Rashford surprised by De Jong’s physical presence

Many don’t view De Jong as a physical midfielder, and Rashford was one of them before seeing it first-hand.

This suggests that the Dutchman would have adapted well to the demands of the Premier League.

If United had brought him in instead of Casemiro, there’s no telling how much better Ten Hag’s side might have been in that opening year, even though it was already a strong season for them.

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De Jong would still rank among the league’s top midfielders if he had made the move. It feels like a missed opportunity for United, especially considering how well he could fit into Amorim’s current setup.