Frank Christian
Manchester United are on the verge of finalizing an agreement to bring in Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Old Trafford.
The signings of these two players are set to be completed imminently, with both poised to sign five-year contracts with the Red Devils, marking a significant defensive overhaul orchestrated by manager Erik ten Hag.
De Ligt and Mazraoui have been long-standing targets for United, with Mazraoui providing cover in full-back positions while de Ligt is expected to strengthen the center-back position right away.
Transfer Fee and Contract Details for Matthijs de Ligt at Manchester United
Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Manchester includes a contract running until 2029, with an option for a 12-month extension, reuniting the 25-year-old with his former Ajax coach, Ten Hag.
The combined deal for De Ligt and Mazraoui is valued at around £60 million ($76.5m), with separate bids for the two defenders accepted by Bayern Munich totaling £51.5 million ($65.7m).
Reasons for Manchester United’s Interest in Matthijs de Ligt
Some Manchester United supporters may question the decision to sign de Ligt given his mixed performances at Juventus and Bayern Munich after showing promise under Ten Hag’s guidance at Ajax.
De Ligt’s upcoming move to Manchester could define his career as he looks to fulfill his potential, especially with Bayern willing to let him go after limited Bundesliga appearances last season.
Ten Hag is counting on de Ligt to bring composure and progressive passing to the team’s defense, qualities that were sometimes lacking in the previous season.
Injuries and inconsistency in defense plagued United in the last season, with Harry Maguire recording the most Premier League starts among central defenders under Ten Hag with just 18.
With uncertainties surrounding the futures of Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof, De Ligt seems like a suitable partner for the returning Lisandro Martinez.
De Ligt’s passing abilities stand out, with a pass completion rate of 94% in the Bundesliga, ranking him among the top performers in that aspect.
United’s strategy to capitalize on the pace of players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund against strong opponents relies on accurate long passes from defense, an area where de Ligt excels.
De Ligt’s proficiency in long passing contrasts with the lower success rates of Maguire and Lindelof, highlighting his potential impact on United’s tactical approach.
Leveraging his passing accuracy and defensive skills, de Ligt could be a key addition to Manchester United’s squad, addressing critical defensive deficiencies.
