S Poddar
It has been announced that Manchester United are making a strong attempt to get back into form next season with the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for £60 million in a double signing satisfying manager Erik ten Hag’s needs after an injury-stricken season.
The arrivals of De Ligt and Mazraoui follow the conclusion of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s transfer to West Ham United for £15 million. As for De Ligt, the Dutch defender, it is a reunion with Ten Hag, who managed him at Ajax. The 25-year-old has signed a five-year deal with an additional year option. With league titles won in Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern, De Ligt was excited to join Manchester United. He said, “The opportunity to join this legendary team is something truly special. I am impressed with the vision of the club and the role they have set out for me. Erik knows what it takes to get the most out of me, and I’m looking forward to working with him again to help the success continue at the highest level.”.
De Ligt is likely to strengthen United’s backline after Raphaël Varane’s exit and Leny Yoro’s injury, from which he will not recover in less than three months. The initial fee that is going to be paid for De Ligt will be £38.5 million, with a possible additional £4.3 million in add-ons.
The full-back, who also worked under Ten Hag at Ajax, has agreed a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, with the option of a further year. The Moroccan international won three league titles at Ajax and one at Bayern. He has 28 caps for Morocco, playing in the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup. The reported fee is £12.8 million plus £4.3m in add-ons.
Mazraoui was delighted with his move to Manchester United: “It’s an incredible feeling to become a United player. Playing at Old Trafford in the red shirt is something I’m really looking forward to. Everyone I have spoken to shares the ambition to win trophies, and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”
The two new signings could make their debuts in United’s first game of the season, when Fulham visit Old Trafford. However, the squad will not include Luke Shaw due to a calf injury. Shaw will miss Fulham and Liverpool – the next two Premier League fixtures – and also the trip to Brighton. His availability for England’s Nations League games next month against the Republic of Ireland and Finland is also in doubt.
