Manchester United have struck a double agreement with Bayern Munich to sign defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
The Red Devils have been targeting a move for Matthijs de Ligt for the best part of the summer transfer window and finally, a deal with Bayern Munich is in place now. The move will be worth € 45 million, plus €5 million in add-ons, subject to the international passing of his medical in the Netherlands. He is expected to undergo his medical on Monday, with personal terms not expected to be an issue.
In a separate deal, Bayern have reportedly accepted a proposal of €15m plus €5m in bonuses from Manchester United for Noussair Mazraoui. This potential transfer is depending on Aaron Wan-Bissaka moving to West Ham United. The Hammers have agreed a £15m fee with Man United for Wan-Bissaka, who is scheduled to undergo a medical at the east London club on Sunday.
De Ligt and Mazraoui will significantly improve Man United’s defence
Matthijs de Ligt would arrive at Old Trafford as the second centre-back signing of the summer transfer window after the acquisition of Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille. Yoro has arrived at Man United amidst a lot of fanfare but has been ruled out for up to three months after surgery to a foot injury that he suffered against Arsenal in the US pre-season tour.
Having trained under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, De Ligt would know the demands of the manager that’d help him fit into his system at Man United. With Harry Maguire just recovering from injury and Lisandro Martinez only returning from helping Argentina win the 2024 Copa America, the Dutch star would fancy his chances of walking straight into Ten Hag’s XI.
Similarly, Noussair Mazraoui also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, where the pair won the Eredivisie three together. Viewed as a potential replacement for Wan-Bissaka, the Morocco international is also comfortable operating at left-back.
As Luke Shaw didn’t travel with the squad for the FA Community Shield final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and Tyrell Malacia is still absent, the 26-year-old could become an option to operate as a left-back in Man United’s season-opener against Fulham on Friday night should he pass his medical on time.
Needless to say, both De Ligt and Mazraoui will hugely enhance the Red Devils’ defence with their volumes of experience, winning mentality and skill set.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
