Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag called Frenkie de Jong "a fantastic player" when asked about the midfielder ahead of Thursday's Europa League contest with Barcelona.

The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Man United last summer, with Ten Hag believed to be desperate for a reunion with the player that he managed at Ajax.

The Red Devils are thought to have spent much of the summer market pursuing the Netherlands international but were ultimately forced to switch their attention to other targets, with Casemiro arriving from Real Madrid.

Barcelona were allegedly keen to sell De Jong last year due to their financial problems, with the Dutchman a player capable of raising a fee in the region of £70m.

However, the midfielder insisted on a number of occasions that he wanted to stay, and he has been a key player for the Catalan giants during the 2022-23 campaign.

Man United are said to still have a long-term interest in De Jong, who has scored twice and provided one assist in 26 appearances at club level during the current season.

Ten Hag was asked about the midfielder during his press conference to preview Thursday's Europa League knockout round first leg at Camp Nou.

"So I think we have a class in 2019 that was a team with a lot of fascination and he brings a lot of that fascination, and I think he develops in the years after and here and in Spain he became even better," Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday evening.

"He's a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him.

"I don't know if we wanted him. Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality. If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger."

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Barcelona boss Xavi was also questioned on the midfielder and reported summer interest from Old Trafford.

"I think he was really clear to me - he wanted to stay with us, so there was not a doubt," the Spaniard told reporters.

"Now he is our player and I am really happy with his performance, with his leadership. He is enjoying himself on the pitch and that is the most important thing."

De Jong, who joined Barcelona from Ajax in the summer of 2019, has more than three years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou. body check tags ::