Xavi playing mind games as fires shots at Manchester United ahead of game

Shortly after Erik Ten Hag penned his contract agreement with Manchester United, the club went after a player that Ten Hag believes would propel United to the next level under his managerial watch. The club went in hard for Frenkie De Jong of Barcelona.

They spent the entire summer trying to convince the player to make the move after greeting a huge fee with Barcelona for the holding midfielder. Frenkie De Jong was part of Ten Hag's Ajax team which comprised Hakim Ziyech, Donny Van der Beek, and even Mattias De Ligt.

The window closes to being shut, Manchester United changed attention and wrapped up Casemiro's deal as quickly as possible with the hope that they could still sign De Jong. But he constantly professed his desire to remind and stay at Barcelona despite the troubles he was having with the club.

The season has moved on from the summer time and past the winter window as well and now the Red Devils face Barcelona in the Europa League in a shocking twist of event. Speaking ahead of the game, Barca's manager Xavi Hernandez played some mind games regarding De Jong and United.

What did Xavi say?

The Barca manager reportedly declared that De Jong was very happy not to leave back in the summer, adding that De Jong has always wanted to star at the club and is no doubt a Barca player. His comments dampen Manchester United's interest in going for him again in the coming summer.