Manchester United Transfer News: Manchester United manager John Murtofh has blocked the transfer of Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest in the recently concluded transfer window.
Hailing from the Ajax academy, Dest progressed through the youth teams before making his senior team debut. Previously a striker, Dest became a right back during his time at the academy and possessed great attacking skills.
After just one year with the senior team, he already had plenty of suitors, but ultimately opted to join Catalan giants FC Barcelona. Dest had a decent start to his Barca career. Later in the season, Dest also became the first American to appear at El Classico.
However, with the arrival of Xavi everything changed. He seemed out of place in Xavi’s system and was subsequently benched. Things got worse when Xavi regularly kicked him out of the team and sent a strong message.
Manchester United Transfer News: Ten Hag’s summer target blocked by Murtogh
According to The Athletic, US men’s national team international Sergino Dest’s transfer move was stopped by Red Devils manager John Murtogh.
After falling out of favor at Barcelona, ​​Dest initially wanted to stay at the club and fight for his place. However, being left out of the team only made things worse. With Barcelona eager to cash in on him and land a new right-back, there were plenty of suitors for him. One of them is Ten Hag’s United.
Since joining United at the start of the season, Erik ten Hag has started to rebuild the Red Devils squad and signed players who can fit into their system.
United’s first choice at the time was Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, the former Crystal Palace man was thought not to suit the ten Hag system and has only played ten minutes of competitive football so far.
Meanwhile, his second choice, Diogo Dalot, was not as convincing as the United manager would have liked. Therefore, he asked to buy Sergino Dest, who previously played with him at Ajax.
However, with Barcelona wanting around £17.5m for the right-back, John Murtogh decided to stop the move. Barcelona then loaned Dest on deadline day to AC Milan.
Wan Bissaka was also kept in the team and thus has been given a second chance to prove himself.
Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot has been impressive so far and has cemented his place in the starting eleven.
Apart from Dest, United failed to bring another ten Hag goal on Frenkie De Jong, who is also from Barcelona.
Whats Next?
Despite getting off to a poor start to the season, United have now won four successive Premier League games. They are currently in fifth place in the table. They will face FC Sheriff Tiraspol in their next outing.
