Erik ten Hag has spoken to Matthijs de Ligt regarding potential move to Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United’s defensive woes played a huge role in Erik ten Hag’s troops suffering a horrendous league campaign last year.

The eighth place finish was United’s worst ever in the Premier League era and now the club face a huge summer to make the necessary improvements to the first team squad.

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt is one of the names high on Ten Hag’s wishlist and United are hoping to conclude a deal in the coming weeks.

The pair know all about each other, having spent a successful spell together at Ajax before going their respective separate ways.

As reported by The Mirror, the Dutch duo have been in contact regarding a reunion in Manchester, with Ten Hag giving assurances to the centre-half.

“Ten Hag had already told De Ligt that his job was safe when they discussed how the 24-year-old will be the defensive rock on which he will continue to develop his United team – and the former Ajax star is now determined to force through the move after the Euros,” the outlet claims.

With Lisandro Martinez set to be fit for the new campaign, the United coach will hope to develop the pair into one of the most formidable partnerships across Europe.

De Ligt possess a similar profile to that of Raphael Varane, who formed an outstanding relationship with Martinez, and Ten Hag will be desperate to recreate that with the Dutchman.

Ten Hag is reportedly plotting to use De Ligt and Martinez as the base of his 4-3-3 formation that he hopes will catapult United back to the top of English football.

INEOS will be hoping the strong relationship between manager and player will be enough for the De Ligt to push for a move and kick United’s summer business off.

The 24-year-old currently turns out for German giants Bayern Munich who are willing to do business at around the £43 million mark.

If United could get the deal done for the reported fee, it would represent an excellent piece of business, on paper, with De Ligt one of the most highly rated defenders in the game.

However, nothing is expected to be finalised before the defender returns from the European Championships.

De Ligt’s Netherlands side are enjoying a fine run in the competition and face Gareth Southgate’s England in the semi-finals this coming Wednesday.