Stam urges Manchester United to move for De Jong in January
Jaap Stam has called on Manchester United to make a decisive move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, identifying the Dutch playmaker as the signing capable of reshaping the club’s struggling midfield. The former United defender believes a January push for De Jong could be crucial as the club attempts to stabilise its season under interim boss Michael Carrick.
With Carrick now overseeing first-team affairs, attention has quickly turned to how United can revive their campaign and stay in the race for Champions League qualification. January recruitment is rarely straightforward, but Stam insists United cannot afford caution. He argues that De Jong, a long-standing target, represents the calibre of player needed to change how the team functions.
Stam also pointed to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as a realistic Premier League option, suggesting United should be looking both abroad and domestically to rebuild a midfield that has lacked control and consistency.
United’s interest in De Jong stretches back several seasons, most notably to the summer of 2022. According to Stam, that pursuit has never fully cooled, surviving managerial changes and shifting recruitment strategies. The former treble winner views De Jong not as a luxury signing but as a tactical necessity for a side struggling to dictate matches.
Stam’s assessment is shaped by familiarity. He worked closely with De Jong during the midfielder’s early development at Ajax and has followed his progression into one of Europe’s most technically reliable central players. In Stam’s view, United’s current options lack the composure and intelligence required to dominate possession against elite opposition.
The context is stark for United. Injuries, inconsistent form, and an ageing core have left the midfield without a clear identity. Carrick’s appointment has brought short-term stability, but the broader structural issues remain unresolved as the season enters a critical phase.
At Old Trafford, the atmosphere has reflected that uncertainty. Recent matches have seen United struggle to control tempo, often conceding midfield territory and relying on moments rather than sustained pressure. The absence of a natural conductor has been evident, particularly in games against well-drilled opponents.
Key moments this season have repeatedly highlighted the problem. United have been overrun in central areas, forced into defensive shapes too early, and exposed during transitions. The lack of ball progression has placed added strain on the back line and limited attacking fluency.
De Jong’s profile directly addresses those weaknesses. Known for his ability to receive under pressure, carry the ball through midfield, and break opposition lines with precise passing, he offers qualities United have lacked since their most dominant eras. His game is built on control rather than chaos.
Baleba, meanwhile, represents a different but complementary solution. The Brighton midfielder has impressed with his athleticism, defensive awareness, and maturity in possession. For United, he would offer energy and balance, particularly as veterans like Casemiro approach the latter stages of their careers.
The second half of United’s season will hinge on whether Carrick can impose clarity with the existing squad or whether reinforcements arrive to accelerate that process. January may not deliver perfection, but targeted additions could shift momentum.
Late in the campaign, margins will be tight. Missed chances in the transfer market could prove as costly as dropped points on the pitch, especially with rivals strengthening around them.
For Stam, the message is clear. Signing players like De Jong and Baleba is not about short-term headlines but about restoring a functional system. If United want to return to competing at the top, he believes the rebuild must start in midfield, and it must start now.