The three players discussed by United and Barcelona during not-so-secret meeting in Spain

Manchester United and Barcelona fans are well aware that senior figures from both clubs met in Spain earlier this week for reasons unknown. 

Several reports have attempted to dissect what may have been the topics of conversation between Barcelona sporting director Deco, his counterpart John Murtough and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves.

Outlets have suggested that the Spanish outfit directly enquired over Red Devils outcast Mason Greenwood, who is seeing out the remainder of his campaign-long loan spell with Getafe before his parent club is forced to make a concrete decision on his future once and for all.

Barcelona were believed to be interested, however, The Times has since claimed that concerns of a backlash from their supporters, along with Greenwood’s prospective price tag, has made them reluctant to pursue the forward.

As per Mundo Deportivo, Murtough and Hargreaves pressed Deco over three players – unsurprisingly, one was Frenkie de Jong. Erik ten Hag strongly pushed to acquire his former protegee during his first transfer window at Old Trafford before a deal failed to materialise due to the midfielder’s desire to stay in Catalonia.

Loanee Ansu Fati, who is spending the term in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion, was thought to be mentioned, as well as young left-back Alejandro Balde. The latter comes as no surprise, as frequent/long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have forced the United board’s hand into seeking more options in the position this summer.