Manchester United have a much-needed injection of quality to their flailing central defense of last season with two exciting signings.
Leny Yoro is the long-term project whose early start has been hindered by injuries, while Matthijs de Ligt is the generational talent who landed as a huge opportunity in the market.
Bayern fans were perplexed when the club sold De Ligt, and he undoubtedly makes a fine addition to the Manchester United squad.
There were even reports that manager Vincent Kompany wanted the Dutchman to be his key man but Kompany reacted strongly to those reports recently.
Now, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl has broken his silence over the transfer that has frustrated many fans in Germany.
Max Eberl on Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United
Max Eberl hasn’t exactly been a popular figure among Bayern fans this season for some of the decisions taken under his watch this transfer window.
Selling De Ligt when he was a huge fan favourite stands right at the top of that list of decisions that have incensed the fans there.
Eberl, however, has stuck to his guns as he responded to those fans and defended the sale strongly, a statement that can go down well only if Bayern win the lot this season.
Eberl said: “I understand that there are fan favourites, but we don’t make decisions based on fan favourites.
“We made decisions with Kompany regarding defense, we wanted a left-footed defender, that’s why we signed Hiroki [Ito from Stuttgart].”
It is worth noting that Ito suffered from a major foot injury in the pre-season so he’s already out for about three months. While that is not under control or can be predicted, as is the case with Leny Yoro, De Ligt’s sale has now invited even more scrutiny.
De Ligt should impress at Old Trafford
The stars have aligned perfectly for Man United, however. In Erik ten Hag, De Ligt will return to play under the manager who’s responsible for overseeing his meteoric rise in senior football.
The defender has stressed that he wanted to feel important and he figures to be one of the first names on the teamsheet when he gets up to fitness.
Furthermore, there is a core of players at the club already familiar with De Ligt, and a strong contingent of Dutch players as well to help him settle.
At just 25, his prime years are ahead of him, and having signed a six-year contract, United have made sure he will be tied to the club for those years.
Physicality is a common problem for players arriving from outside England but De Ligt is a physical specimen who combines that strength with skill on the ball to be a complete defender.
United even have the numbers in defence now to manage his minutes and keep everyone fit, as was the case vs Fulham when Harry Maguire was subbed off as a precaution and De Ligt came on for his debut.
The setting at Old Trafford couldn’t be more perfect for De Ligt to succeed. Ultimately, regardless of how Bayern viewed him, the truth is he’s the perfect fit for United at present and in the future.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/IbmFixn