Joe McConnell
Manchester United have completed the signings of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
De Ligt’s deal is worth €50m (£42.7m), with an initial fee of €45m (£38.4m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons, with the player available for United’s opening Premier League match against Fulham on Friday, live on Vscek, having been Register by Thursday at noon.
The 24-year-old Dutch international centre-back spent two seasons at Bayern after joining from Juventus, playing 73 games and scoring five goals.
De Ligt also played at Ajax under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with whom he won the Eredivisie in 2019.
The defender, who also won league titles with Juventus and Bayern, said: “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I was excited at the idea of a new challenge at such a historic club.
“In the conversations that followed, I was struck by the vision that the football leaders had outlined 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’m looking forward to working with him again.
“I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level and I am determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt strengthens United’s central defence following the departure of Raphael Varane, while summer newcomer Leny Yoro is expected to miss up to three months with a foot injury sustained against Arsenal in pre-season.
Mazraoui (left) and De Ligt have both moved to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich
Full-back Mazraoui, 26, joins the club for a fee of €15m (£12.8m), with a possible €5m (£4.2m) addition.
Mazraoui also played under Ten Hag at Ajax. He won three league titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern.
The Moroccan international has made 28 appearances for his country and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
He has signed a four-year contract with the option of a further year and comes on the day that full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure for West Ham was confirmed.
Mazraoui: Incredible feeling to join Utd
Mazraoui said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player and I can’t wait to step onto the pitch at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt.
“I know I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition to win trophies together and I feel the determination to achieve that.”
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth said: “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on either the right or left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.
“Having already won numerous trophies throughout 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 Manchester United require.”
Why Manchester United Moved For De Ligt And Mazraoui
United believe De Ligt’s fee is attractive for a young but extremely experienced and high-quality centre-back who has achieved success wherever he has played.
Mazraoui is seen at the club as a young, versatile and dynamic full-back, strong in defence and capable of attacking both on the left and right flank.
With the simultaneous arrival of De Ligt, Manchester United complete four major signings before the start of the season, significantly strengthening the squad and addressing priority positions.
United’s focus will be on recruiting midfielders
Following the arrival of Mazraoui and De Ligt, United are expected to focus on recruiting midfielders.
However, any income will depend on your budget and rating.
Dialogue with Paris Saint-Germain remains open Manuel Ugarte But for now the French club is not giving in on the price.
Manuel Ugarte ranked highly despite starting just 21 Ligue 1 games
United are being patient, with just over two weeks of the transfer window left, knowing that PSG may have to sell and that the player is very interested in moving to Old Trafford.
Personal circumstances are therefore not expected to be a problem.
However, United are also evaluating other midfielders and talks with Burnley continue. Sander Bergewho missed Monday’s win against Luton due to injury.
of Monaco Youssouf Fofana and of Fiorentina Sofia Amrabat There are still some options left, however.
With the budgets, a sale may be necessary for United to return to the market. There have been no other offers so far by Scott McTominay AND Casemiro It is now expected to remain.
How will Manchester United’s new defence line up?
Melissa Reddy of Vscek:
Manchester United had two main objectives in strengthening their defence this summer: to increase its effectiveness, especially in duels, and to change its dynamics.
The final blow of eliminating Real Madrid and signing Leny Yoro has added further athleticism, aerial danger and a technical ball-winner who is set to become one of the best central defenders in the game.
The youngster’s broken metatarsal in the opening match of the US tour was unfortunate, but United have signed him on a long-term deal, not just for the first few months of the season.
Even before this setback, the club had been keen to add at least one more option to the heart of the defence, which had been ravaged by injuries last time out and also lacked balance and progressive skills.
Matthijs de Ligt had been proposed to Erik ten Hag, who wanted him in his first summer at Old Trafford, by United’s new recruitment team as a target to increase his physical and technical potential; the right man to dominate defensive duels.
The composed stopper is seen as a good counter to the aggressive and instinctive Lisandro Martinez; balance left and right, but also in approach.
At 25, De Ligt’s vast experience in a variety of high-profile environments, his natural leadership and his ability to execute Ten Hag’s style of play made him an attractive prospect.
De Ligt all smiles as he signs for Man Utd
There is a sense that his strengths have not been fully exploited at Bayern Munich, which is in a phase of change, and that his profile and attitude will be a boost for United.
Perhaps the most instructive move to show the change in dynamics is to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a one-on-one defensive specialist, with the highly technical and ambidextrous Noussair Mazraoui. Also recruited from Bayern, he can play either full-back position, is resistant to pressure and better suited to building play.
Mazraoui, effectively paid for by Wan-Bissaka’s departure to West Ham, was a key cog in Ten Hag’s Ajax success, where he helped bring out the best in Antony’s game.
There will be natural cynicism in thinking that this is a continuation of United’s policy of buying players the manager is familiar with rather than building a club identity.
The counter-move will be that by adding progressive players who offer a varied dynamic, United are effectively recruiting players for the playing model they have committed to.
The difference is that Ten Hag is not leading the recruitment as was the case before the new football management team was in place. Targets have been brought to him based on their suitability for the style of play, their availability on the market and the opportunity to actually get a deal, financially and logistically.
Victor Lindelof could still leave before the transfer window closes and the addition of a left-back remains open.
United have been more proactive and methodical in their recruitment this summer, but there is still a lot of work to be done beyond the back line, particularly in midfield.
How will Manchester United line up against Fulham?
Flex, speaking on Good Morning Transfers on Vscek News:
“Ten Hag has some tough decisions to make. Man Utd need a period of calm. They need to bring some injured players back into the starting eleven.
“Andre Onana will definitely be in goal this season, but it could be interesting to see what the defense will be like.
“We know about Luke Shaw’s injury problems. Could that mean a slight change of role for Lisandro Martinez? He started at left-back in the Community Shield against Man City and could start the season there for United, leaving new boy De Ligt to partner Harry Maguire in central defence.
“Diogo Dalot was one of United’s best players last season and now faces a battle with Mazraoui for the right-back position. But we could also see Dalot on the left with Mazraoui on the right, allowing Martinez to play in his more familiar centre-back role.
“Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro look set to continue in midfield against Fulham and it could be a big season for Mason Mount. He hopes to put his injury problems behind him this season and make a big impact for United.
“An injury to Rasmus Hojlund has hampered Ten Hag’s plans in attack. Bruno Fernandes filled the false nine position against City and will continue in Hojlund’s absence and while Joshua Zirkzee continues to settle in at Old Trafford. He will be joined in attack by Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho on the flanks.”
