Man Utd blow as Romano reveals Ten Hag Plan B option for Frenkie de Jong on brink of heading to France

Manchester United having suffered a blow to their hopes of landing midfielder Fabian Ruiz as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong, with the Napoli star on the brink of joining PSG.

De Jong has been Erik ten Hag’s top transfer target since he took over from Ralf Rangnick as United boss, with a £71.7million deal known to be firmly in place for the Netherlands international.

But the Red Devils are facing major competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, while Manchester City are also said to have joined the race for the talented midfielder.

United have also been hit hard by their lack of Champions League football. Indeed, De Jong is reluctant to join for that very reason.

Those doubts have forced Ten Hag to look at alternative options, with Ruiz on United’s radar for some time.

Youri Tielemans and Ruben Neves also remain in the frame for a move to Old Trafford. And it may well be that United have to turn to the Premier League instead, given an update from Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer insider claims that Ruiz, who saw an approach from West Ham knocked back last month, is on his way to Paris. A £21m deal is reportedly on the cards.

The Spain international only has a year remaining on his Napoli contract, hence the low fee involved.

Ruiz was one of Napoli’s top performers last season as they finished third in Serie A. And it would appear that he is heading to Paris rather than PSG.

The news is sure to come as another blow to Ten Hag, as he continues to be thwarted in his efforts to land a new midfield general.

Ten Hag not panicking over midfield signing

Despite that, the Dutchman was relaxed about adding a new body in his engine room speaking prior to Sunday’s clash with Brighton.

He told reporters on Friday: “I have a squad and I’m happy with the current squad, we make good progress. I’m happy with the signings until now.

“You don’t need any player, you need the right player, that’s what we’re working for.

“If it’s not the right player, no [we won’t sign them], we need the right players.”

It’s not midfield that will be an issue for United against Brighton on Sunday, however.

Ten Hag has a concern over who will line up as the club’s central striker against the Seagulls.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be linked with an exit and has seen just 45 minutes of pre-season action.

The in-form Anthony Martial is ruled out through injury, meaning Marus Rashford could be asked to play as a No.9.

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