Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly targeting Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt as part of his plans to bolster the team’s defense for the upcoming season. The Dutch coach, who worked with De Ligt at Ajax, is keen on reuniting with the 24-year-old centre-back to address the defensive frailties that saw Manchester United concede 58 goals last season.
De Ligt’s future at Bayern Munich appears uncertain as he has fallen out of favor under manager Thomas Tuchel. Despite arriving from Juventus in 2022 for a substantial fee, De Ligt has struggled for game time this season, often playing second fiddle to Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae. With Bayern Munich targeting new defensive reinforcements such as Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, De Ligt may be allowed to leave to make space.
Manchester United’s defensive lineup is set for significant changes, with Raphael Varane already departed and Jonny Evans potentially following suit. Additionally, both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, further emphasizing the need for reliable defensive options.
However, acquiring De Ligt will not be straightforward. Bayern Munich will likely demand a high fee for the defender, and Manchester United may face competition from other clubs, including Arsenal, who are also reportedly interested in the Dutch international. Financial Fair Play concerns and the need for multiple high-profile signings might complicate the Red Devils’ efforts to secure De Ligt’s services
Despite these challenges, Ten Hag remains “very interested” in bringing De Ligt to Old Trafford, hoping that their past working relationship at Ajax will help in convincing the player. As the summer transfer window approaches, Manchester United fans will be keenly watching developments to see if Ten Hag can succeed in his pursuit of De Ligt and strengthen the club’s defense for the new season.
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