word statement as Man Utd transfer confirmed
2024-08-16 00:00- Manchester United finalizes the signing of Matthijs de Ligt for £43million.
- The deal includes an upfront payment of close to £38m and additional £5m in add-ons.
- Former teammates have contrasting views on the quality of the new signing.
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Insights
Manchester United's acquisition of Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich for £43 million has raised eyebrows among football pundits, with former player Paul Scholes expressing significant concerns. Scholes labeled De Ligt a "second-rate defender," questioning his lack of playing time at Bayern and his previous struggles at Juventus. He emphasized that De Ligt's inability to secure a spot in the national team during the Euros further highlights his decline since his promising early years at Ajax. Despite Scholes' criticism, other former players, including Micah Richards, defended the signing, suggesting that De Ligt could address United's defensive issues. Richards noted that De Ligt's agility could provide a more adventurous approach compared to slower defenders like Harry Maguire. The contrasting opinions reflect a broader debate about whether De Ligt can meet the high expectations at Manchester United, especially given the club's recent struggles in defense. As United prepares for the new season, the pressure mounts on De Ligt to perform. The club is also finalizing a double deal that includes Noussair Mazraoui, who is expected to fill the right-back position vacated by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who recently transferred to West Ham. The changes in the squad signal a significant overhaul under manager Erik Ten Hag, who is keen to reshape the team's defensive lineup. With the new season approaching, all eyes will be on De Ligt as he attempts to prove his critics wrong and establish himself as a key player for Manchester United.
Contexts
On August 10, 2024, Manchester United initiated a defensive shake-up by signing Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, aiming to address weaknesses in their gameplay. The new defensive additions were brought in to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who had moved to West Ham, in an effort to bolster the squad for the upcoming season. Just two days later, on August 12, 2024, the signings of de Ligt and Mazraoui were completed, solidifying the team's defensive line and promising improvements in their performance. Subsequently, on August 13, 2024, Manchester United continued their strategic moves by closely monitoring Bruno Fernandes' contract talks, recognizing his pivotal role in the team's success. The negotiations were crucial for the club's rebuild and had implications beyond Fernandes himself. The following day, on August 13, 2024, the club's manager, Erik ten Hag, revealed a new Man Utd XI that had seen significant investment of nearly £150 million to enhance the team for the upcoming season. However, fans were left curious as a key position remained unfilled, raising questions about the team's future performance. On August 14, 2024, amidst these developments, reports emerged that Jadon Sancho was nearing a departure from Manchester United, with PSG considering a swap deal that could involve Manuel Ugarte joining United. This move was seen as a potential strategy to free up wages and address concerns over Profit and Sustainability rules. Additionally, on the same day, Manchester United was eyeing Ivan Toney from Brentford as a potential transfer target, as top clubs showed interest in the striker whose contract was running down. The club was devising a new transfer plan following Brentford's response to the interest, indicating further developments in their squad building strategy.
