Mazraoui (left) and De Ligt have both moved to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich
Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have signed for Manchester United from Bayern Munich; in a transaction valued at €50 million (£42.7 million), the Netherlands international center back De Light comes to Old Trafford for an initial payment of €45 million (£38.4 million) plus €5 million (£4.3 million) in add-ons.
The acquisition of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich has been finalized by Manchester United.
Including an initial €45 million (£38.4 million) and €5 million (£4.3 million) in add-ons, De Ligt’s move is valued at €50 million (£42.7 million). Having registered by midday on Thursday, the player will be eligible for United’s opening Premier League encounter against Fulham on Friday, live on Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old center-back for the Netherlands has played 73 times for Bayern after joining from Juventus, scoring five goals. De Ligt also played for Ajax, the 2019 Eredivisie winners, under Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United. De Light who also won league titles with Juventus and Bayern, said:
As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club.
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 and I cannot wait to work with him again.
I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.
Watch De Light Interview on Reunion with Ten Hag below:
De Ligt bolsters United’s central defense in the wake of Raphael Varane’s departure, while another summer addition Leny Yoro could be sidelined for up to three months due to a foot injury he suffered during preseason versus Arsenal.
Complete-back Mazraoui, 26, costs Manchester United €15 million (£12.8 million) to sign, with a further €5 million (£4.2 million) likely.
Mazraoui was Ten Hag’s teammate at Ajax as well. Along with the Dutch team, he won three league titles with Bayern.
The Morocco international has also appeared in 28 matches for his nation and advanced to the 2022 World Cup semifinals.
His arrival coincides with the confirmation of full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move to West Ham. He has agreed to a four-year contract with the option of a fifth.
Mazraoui: It feels amazing to be joining United.
Mazraoui said:
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.”
Dan Ashworth, the sporting director of Manchester United, stated:
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.
Why Man United traded for Mazraoui and De Ligt
De Ligt is a young but incredibly skilled center defender who has excelled everywhere he has played, therefore United thinks his fee is attractive.
The team views Mazraoui as a young, adaptable, and dynamic full-back who can play both left and right forward and is good defensively.
With De Ligt’s simultaneous arrival, United has secured four key acquisitions before the season even began, greatly bolstering the roster and filling priority positions.
What defense lineup will Man Utd’s new look have?
This summer, Manchester United want to improve the steel of their defense, particularly in duels, and to alter the dynamic.
Leny Yoro, who was acquired by shocking Real Madrid, gave the team more athleticism, aerial danger, and a technical ball-winner who is expected to become one of the best center backs in the league.
Although it was really unfortunate that the teenager broke his metatarsal in the first preseason game of the US tour, United has signed him for the long haul rather than just the first few months of the season.
The team had already planned to add at least one more alternative to the core of defense, which had been severely damaged by injuries the previous game and lacked both balance and progressive qualities. This was even before that setback.
The recalibrated United recruitment team had suggested Matthijs de Ligt to Erik ten Hag, who had sought him in his first summer at Old Trafford, as a target to improve their physical and technical ceiling; the man to dominate defensive duels.
The cool-headed goalkeeper, who balances both left and right while approaching, is thought to be a good counterbalance to Lisandro Martinez’s instinctual aggression.
De Ligt, who is 25 years old, appealed because of his breadth of experience in a variety of high-pressure settings, his innate leadership qualities, and his capacity to execute Ten Hag’s style of play.
There is a perception that his profile and demeanor will benefit United, and that his abilities weren’t fully utilized at Bayern Munich, who have been through some turmoil.
The most illuminating substitution to highlight the shift in dynamics may be Noussair Mazraoui replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a defensive specialist who excels in one-on-one situations. He was also brought in from Bayern, and in addition to being press-resistant, he can cover both full-back positions and is superior at creating plays.
Mazraoui was a vital member of Ten Hag’s winning Ajax team, where he helped bring out the best in Antony, and he was essentially paid for by Wan-Bissaka’s departure to West Ham.
Naturally, there will be cynicism that this is just another example of United’s philosophy of acquiring players with whom the manager is familiar rather than fostering a sense of club identity.
The counterargument will be that United is truly recruiting for the game model they are dedicated to by bringing in innovative players that provide a diverse dynamic.
The distinction is that, unlike before the new football leadership team took over, Ten Hag is not spearheading recruitment. Proposals have been made to him regarding targets that fit the style of play, are available on the market, and have the potential to close a deal both practically and financially.
There is still time for Victor Lindelof to depart before the transfer window ends and to sign a left-sided defender.
Although United has been more methodical and assertive in their summer hiring, particularly in midfield, there is still work to be done beyond the rearguard.
Do you think De Light and Noussair Mazraoui will help Manchester United do better this season? Let’s here you in the comment section below:
For more updates on soccer transfer signings like this, Check out Transfer Update Section.
