Manchester United have completed the signing of Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt for £38 million and Noussair Mazraoui for £12 million.
Matthijs De Ligt had been wanted by Manchester United all summer and the Red Devils have finally got their man through the door at Old Trafford.
United confirmed the signing this evening with the Dutchman set to be available for the Red Devils’ opening Premier League game of the season against Fulham.
The Dutch defender has spoken out for the first time about his completed move to United.
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Matthijs De Ligt’s first words as a United player
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, United agreed a deal worth €45million (£38.6m), plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons, for the signing of Dutch centre-back De Ligt.
The Dutch defender has been speaking to the United website following confirmation of the £38 million deal and was keen to praise Erik ten Hag.
“As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such a historic club,” De Ligt said.
“In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it.
“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level.”
Noussair Mazraoui deal done
Manchester United have also confirmed the signing of right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who also joins from Bayern Munich.
He told club media: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt.
“I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.
“Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player, so it is exciting to be reuniting with him as I enter the prime years of my career. I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful.”
Dan Ashworth verdict
Sporting director Dan Ashworth had plenty to say, addressing the arrivals of both players.
He said: “Matthijs is an outstanding defender and proven winner who will add quality, experience and leadership to our existing group of senior players.
“He has already enjoyed considerable success in his career, and we are convinced that his best years are still ahead; we want to help him achieve them at Manchester United.”
And on Mazraoui, he added: “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.
“Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.”
United fix problem position for relatively cheap
Another centre-back, following Leny Yoro’s unfortunate injury, was always going to be likely and United have finally confirmed a deal for De Ligt.
After much back and forth between the Red Devils and Bayern, in the end, United have seemingly gotten the Dutchman for a decent price.
After Everton priced United out of a move for Jarrad Branthwaite despite a move for the Englishman potentially going down to the wire, the Red Devils moved for De Ligt.
De Ligt is a player who Ten Hag knows well and the 25-year-old could be exactly what the Red Devils have been missing. De Ligt ranks pretty low price-wise compared to other centre-backs and this could be an exciting addition.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/SadYOvw