Former Manchester United scout Marcel Bout believes they could have signed two Dutch superstars.

The Red Devils could have secured defender Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Frenkie de Jong several years ago.

United did target De Jong in the summer of 2022, but manager Erik ten Hag was unable to get his man.

Speaking of United's lack of urgency in the transfer market, he told Algemeen Dagblad: "The 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt was then playing for Ajax, later Frenkie de Jong followed suit.

“'Make sure that United makes a deal early on for these types of talents. Then you can always let them develop for a while in the Netherlands,' I said."

Bout has taken up a new role at Newcastle United as their chief of global scouting.