- Should Manchester United Take This Risk Of Signing Matthijs de Ligt?
Manchester United reportedly want to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich this summer to improve their back line after a challenging 2023/24 campaign.
Initially, the Reds showed interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but the Toffees demand close to £70 million for the English defender, and United refuse to overpay.
This has led the Red Devils to Matthijs de Ligt, and there are signs that this transfer may become another bad signing if the club goes through with their plans to bring him in.
Why?
Bringing in someone with confidence issues to play at one of the most scrutinized clubs in the world, and in the most demanding league in the world, might be asking for trouble.
De Ligt burst onto the scene at Ajax quickly at the tender age of 16, and the club named him captain at 19. He was the leader of the famous Ajax side of 2017 to 2019.
He got his big move to Juventus in the summer of 2019, but things did not go as planned for him in Turin. De Ligt struggled in Italy. He struggled to make an impact in a team with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
De Ligt later blamed his horrible spell in Italy on the difference between the Italian game and how he is used to playing at Ajax.
He moved to Bayern Munich in 2022, and he has also struggled at the German club. He has struggled to earn the complete trust of the two managers he has played under, and that is why he is currently on the market after two years in Bavaria.
Matthijs De Ligt to United Is A Big Gamble
This is a case of a defender who has had to deal with injuries, a horrible spell in Italy, and an inconsistent time in Germany. Will he be the stable head Manchester United need at the back?
Manchester United already have defenders who are susceptible to letting the pressure of playing for the club get to them.
Harry Maguire is just recovering from a torrid time at the club, and as experienced as Varane is, the felt the pressure at Old Trafford. Bringing in De Ligt with his current form, as player United fans will expect a lot from might not be the best answer.
Also, there were rumors at Bayern last season that Thomas Tuchel preferred Kim Min-jae and the calamitous Dayot Upamecano because they were better than De Ligt when it came to connecting play (passing).
At 24, De Ligt probably still has his best years ahead of him, but some of his current issues might hinder him from settling down properly at Old Trafford if he signs for Manchester United.
