{"id":1357663,"date":"2024-07-02T22:15:05","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T21:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1357663"},"modified":"2024-07-02T22:27:02","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T21:27:02","slug":"matthijs-de-ligt-man-utd-transfer-defence","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/matthijs-de-ligt-man-utd-transfer-defence\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthijs de Ligt to Man Utd transfer: Ten Hag’s prot\u00e9g\u00e9 missing piece in defensive puzzle?"},"content":{"rendered":"

After much speculation, Erik ten Hag is now looking forward to his third year in charge of Manchester United.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before kicking off the forthcoming Premier League campaign against Fulham, the Red Devils<\/em> are expected to have another busy summer.<\/p>\n

No fewer than 13 players have joined the Old Trafford club across the past two pre-season transfer windows, many having previously worked under the Dutch tactician.<\/p>\n

[dugoutvideo id=”eyJrZXkiOiIiLCJwIjoic3F1YXdrYSIsInBsIjoiS25BVzdIeXgifQ==” partner=”squawka”]<\/p>\n

If reports<\/a> are accurate, Ten Hag’s compatriot Matthijs de Ligt will soon become the latest.<\/p>\n

No stranger to being linked with United, they were among the many clubs interested before he swapped boyhood club Ajax for Juventus shortly after teaming up with the current United boss on an unprecedented Champions League semi-final run.<\/p>\n

It was during his final season with the Amsterdammers in which a 19-year-old De Ligt showcased qualities beyond his years.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know if De Ligt has shown 60-80 per cent of his potential,” Ten Hag said. “But we are talking about one of the best defenders in Europe and I have no doubt that he will soon be number one in this position.”<\/p>\n

It never quite worked out for the centre-back at Juve, and he soon left after three seasons to join Bayern Munich, where his current deal expires in June 2027.<\/p>\n