How Erik ten Hag influenced Matthijs de Ligt’s €45m move to Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United’s €45 million transfer of Matthijs de Ligt represents a strategic acquisition and a statement of intent.

The Athletic’s Jacob Whitehead dives deep into the intricacies of the deal.

As a young fan, De Ligt idolized United’s storied defenders, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and harboured a deep admiration for fellow Dutchman Jaap Stam.

That admiration has come full circle, with De Ligt donning the club’s red shirt he revered.

At the heart of this transfer is a bond that transcends the typical player-manager relationship.

Erik ten Hag, the current United manager, played a pivotal role in De Ligt’s development during their time together at Ajax. Ten Hag recognized De Ligt’s leadership qualities and appointed him the youngest captain in Ajax’s illustrious history.

This mutual trust, forged during those formative years, was instrumental in De Ligt’s decision to choose United over other European powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

The allure of reuniting with the coach who had nurtured his talent and believed in his potential was too strong to resist.

However, De Ligt’s exit from Bayern Munich was challenging.

Despite being a fan-favourite and regarded as the club’s best defender by new coach Vincent Kompany, De Ligt was subtly pushed towards the exit.

The club’s hierarchy questioned his ability to play out from the back with his weaker foot, casting doubts on his future at Bayern. The situation was compounded by a frustrating European Championship campaign, where De Ligt, despite being fully fit, was relegated to the bench in favour of other defenders.

A period of uncertainty and frustration ultimately set the stage for his move to Manchester.

United have needed defensive reinforcements, particularly after the departure of Raphael Varane.

De Ligt’s arrival fills a crucial gap in the squad, providing United with a player who combines youth with extensive experience at the highest level.

His leadership qualities, honed under Ten Hag at Ajax and further developed during his stints at Juventus and Bayern, make him an invaluable addition to United’s defence.

As the club continues its rebuild under Ten Hag, De Ligt’s presence will be crucial both on and off the pitch.

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