Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel is playing down reports suggesting Matthijs de Ligt could join Premier League giants Manchester United with the Dutch international still a key part of his plans.
It’s fair to say Erik ten Hag has a rather mixed track record when it comes to bringing his former players to Old Trafford. While Lisandro Martinez has been an unqualified success, you certainly cannot say the same of Antony, Andre Onana or Sofyan Amrabat.
Reports linking Manchester United with Ajax striker Brian Brobbey and Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt are likely to split supporters down the middle then. Particularly with regards to the latter.
De Ligt, who captained Ten Hag’s thrilling Ajax side to within touching distance of the Champions League final in 2019, struggled to live up to expectations at Juventus and hasn’t fared too much better since joining the German champions in a £68 million deal.
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Sky Deutschland believe that Man United could look to come to De Ligt’s rescue in the summer amid reports of a strained relationship with ex-Chelsea, Dortmund and PSG boss Tuchel.
The man in the Allianz Arena hotseat was quick to shut down those rumours ahead of Werder Bremen’s trip to Bavaria on Sunday, however.
“We are planning the season with Matthijs,” Tuchel explains, via VoetbalPrimeur. “(He is) a top player and top person, and he is our player.”
The fact that De Ligt has started only four Bundesliga games this season has done little to quell the speculation, though Tuchel insists that a lack of game-time is the result of an injury he sustained in the summer.
Matthijs de Ligt an option for Red Devils
“Matthijs returned from the national team injured and missed the entire preseason,” Tuchel argues. “We played against him too early in the Super Cup and then he was seriously injured again.”
With Dayot Upamecano unavailable, Tuchel confirms that De Ligt will start at home to Werder Bremen.
The extent of Man United’s interest remains to be seen, meanwhile, with Ten Hag’s power over recruitment likely to be diminished as INEOS take control of football operations at Old Trafford.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/XMiN2QW