For a player still relatively young, Manchester United’s newest signing has a truly remarkable amount of experience under his belt.
Over 300 senior appearances at the age of just 25. Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich on his CV. Now, confirmed as Manchester United’s new £38 million centre-back this week, Matthijs de Ligt adds a fourth European giant to his enviable collection.
Arriving alongside former Ajax and Bayern Munich team-mate Noussair Mazraoui, De Ligt could make his Red Devils debut in Friday’s Premier League opener at home to Marco Silva’s Fulham.
And while there are concerns over some sections of the fanbase – De Ligt for an initial £38 million, surely it’s too good to be true, right? – Ten Hag is delighted to be reunited with a player he handed the captain’s armband to while still a teenager in Amsterdam.
A man Ten Hag once tipped to become the finest centre-half on the planet.
Whether De Ligt can live up to his manager’s high praise remains to be seen, but the Man United boss is convinced the club’s number four can offer considerable benefits both on and off the pitch at Old Trafford.
Matthijs de Ligt ready for Manchester United debut
“He has fantastic potential,” Ten Hag says of De Ligt, via Beanyman Sports on YouTube. “Matthijs turned 25 this week and he has almost 375 games for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich under the belt.
“That is incredible. Now, he is coming into his best years. He has great skills as a footballer and as a character and personality.
“I am really pleased to have him here.”
Ten Hag confirmed earlier in the same press conference that De Ligt will be in the squad on Friday, along with fellow centre-half Harry Maguire and the aforementioned Mazraoui.
The Dutchman’s arrival feels particularly timely when you consider that Leny Yoro – the most expensive signing of the Ineos era so far – faces up to three months out with a broken foot.
De Ligt is also pleased that he will be given the chance to take the next step in his career alongside a man he has played with for the last decade.
Mazraoui – labelled ‘incredibly good on the ball‘ by United legend Jaap Stam and hailed for his press-resistant qualities by Ten Hag – could turn out to be one of the best bargain buys in many a year for the Red Devils.
Man United paid an initial fee of less than £13 million.
Noussair Mazraoui also arrives from Bayern Munich
“It’s always nice when you know certain players, certain guys,” De Ligt, who also reunites with Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee, tells Manchester United’s official website.
“It makes it a little bit more easy, so I am really glad that these guys are already here.
“(Mazraoui) is an amazing guy. An amazing player. I have known him already for a very long time. I think around ten years.
“It’s so funny, we spoke about it last week! There is a reason we always come together, like before at Ajax and then at Bayern Munich. And, now, Manchester United.
“It’s such a special relationship. I’m really glad that he’s also going to be here. I think we are going to help each other a lot.”
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