Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has said Frenkie de Jong never came close to joining Manchester United last summer against claims the Netherlands international was heading to Old Trafford.
Xavi said the former Ajax star is excited to face his former boss Erik ten Hag in the Europa League on Thursday.
De Jong was Manchester United’s first-choice target for the midfield position in the summer of 2022 but reports emerged that he turned a move to Manchester and even prefers to take a pay cut to remain in Barcelona.
De Jong will file out with Barcelona on Thursday evening against Manchester at Camp Nou and Xavi insists the Dutch side always wanted to stay at Barcelona – and is now playing some of his best football.
“I think he was really clear to me: he wanted to stay with us. So there was no doubt,” he said at his post-match press conference on Wednesday.
“Now he’s our player, I’m really happy and satisfied with his performances, his leadership. He’s in a very good moment, like all the team, I think Frenkie is enjoying being on the pitch and this is the most important thing.”