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Matthijs de Ligt is the focus of recent transfer rumors in a move that would send him from Bayern Munich to Manchester United. If this comes to fruition, De Ligt would reunite with his former manager at Ajax, Erik ten Hag. De Ligt made his debut with Ajax as a teenager, admittedly before Ten Hag arrived at the Dutch giant. However, with Erik ten Hag at the helm, the center-back became a mainstay in the senior squad. Rapidly, he emerged as one of the best center-backs in Europe.
The highlight of that was the 2018/19 season. With Matthijs de Ligt making 55 total appearances, Ajax won the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup. Yet, Ajax’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinal showed De Ligt was one of the top center-backs in the world at the age of 19. That season, he won the Golden Boy Award as the top young player in the world. He was the first defender to win that award.
The transfer rumors for De Ligt to Manchester United come at a time when much of his excitement has tapered off. After that sensational stint with Ajax, the center-back made a big-money move to Juventus, one of the clubs he knocked out in the UEFA Champions League campaign in 2018/19. Three years at Juventus showed promise, but De Ligt only helped Juventus to a Serie A and Coppa Italia title. His subsequent move to Bayern Munich, which was also an expensive transfer, was inconsistent. Several minor injuries combined with the up-and-down performances to hamper his use at Bayern Munich.
That has lowered the asking price ever so slightly for De Ligt. Manchester United does not have a public transfer fee yet for De Ligt, but initial reports suggest at least $55 million for the transfer. Yet, this is a positive move for both Manchester United and Matthijs de Ligt.
United gives De Ligt a chance for resurgence on a major stage
Reuniting Matthijs de Ligt with Erik ten Hag rekindles a major partnership between player and coach. Matthijs de Ligt is still 24 years old. Despite playing for…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/de-ligt-gives-ten-hags-united-much-needed-defensive-stability/
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-07-01 16:40:16
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