FRENKIE DE JONG won’t be on penalty duty should he arrive at Manchester United after his attempt left his Barcelona team-mates on the floor with laughter.
United have already agreed a deal worth up to £72million to prise the midfielder away from the Nou Camp.
However, the player has reservations over a move to Old Trafford this summer – despite his former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag, managing the Red Devils.
But should he eventually come around to the idea of a move to United, he certainly won’t be on penalty duty for Ten Hag’s side.
The Dutchman stepped up in pre-season with his team-mates watching and scuffed his effort onto the post.
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Ansu Fati stepped up next and powered his effort into the top right corner to win the penalty shootout, in the presence of Barca great Thierry Henry and former striker Sergio Aguero.
United are willing to wait towards the back end of the transfer window to land De Jong.
But they are looking at alternative options should they come up short in their pursuit of the 25-year-old midfielder.
Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans is on United’s radar.
The Belgian international is ticking over into the final year of his Foxes contract at the King Power Stadium and could be picked up for a reasonable fee.
And they could have a free run at Tielemans with Arsenal closing in on Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Despite the transfer speculation, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers gave Tielemans a glowing report.
Rodgers said: “There’s no update at all. He’s an amazing guy to work with.
“He’s just re-joined the club [for pre-season] and he’s pretty much the same. In training he’s very committed.
“He’s happy in his work and he’s happy at the club. But naturally with a year in his contract he may feel he has to look at everything for him and his family.
“But I certainly know he’s committed while he is here.
“I’ll have a good chat with Youri next week to get privately what he’s thinking.
“But it won’t change, whether he’s leaving or staying for another five years, he’ll still be super committed.”