Manchester United have confirmed two new signings with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both completing moves from Bayern Munich.
The Premier kick-off is drawing closer and closer for Manchester United.
Friday’s clash with Fulham is looming large and United were in danger of having no signings in the starting lineup.
Joshua Zirkzee didn’t even come off the bench against Manchester City on Saturday whilst Leny Yoro is out injured.
United have though struck a double deal with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui finally arriving.
United have been chasing deals with Bayern Munich for both players in recent weeks and finally have the pair signed, sealed and delivered.
De Ligt arrives in a deal worth up to £42.8million whilst Mazraoui comes in for around £12million.
Lisandro Martinez reacts
De Ligt and Mazraoui become the latest former Ajax players to join United.
Erik ten Hag has previously brought in the likes of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony having worked with them in Amsterdam.
De Ligt and Mazraoui now join that list – much to Martinez’s delight.
Martinez never actually crossed paths with fellow defender De Ligt; he joined Ajax in the summer of 2019, just as De Ligt was heading to Juventus.
The Argentinian knows Mazraoui well though having played 65 times together with Ajax, losing just 12 times together.
The pair now reunite and Martinez has shared his excitement in an interview with BBC Sport.
Martinez noted that he is excited to see both players join, believing that they are ‘really good players’.
Martinez added that both players can be ‘special’ in the United system and drew attention to the ‘strong personality’ De Ligt will provide in defence.
“I’m so excited about Matthijs about Nouss. We are here to help them and they are really good players,” said Martinez. “That’s why Manchester United bought them. They will show that quickly because they have really good qualities and they like to play football and they are special for our system.”
“I think Matthijs will give us a strong personality, playing from the back, defending high. I can’t wait to play with him,” he added.
De Ligt and Mazraoui sign just in time
After weeks of speculation, De Ligt and Mazraoui are finally on board at Old Trafford.
Whether they will be thrown in against Fulham remains to be seen, but they are both available having signed in more than enough time for Friday’s game.
United need defensive options with Yoro missing and De Ligt provides a potential solution with Ten Hag no doubt looking to fast-track him in the coming days.
Mazraoui’s arrival is absolutely pivotal though as United are dealing with another Luke Shaw injury.
Tyrell Malacia is still out too so United are left with problems at left back whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s exit limited Diogo Dalot’s ability to switch over to the left side.
Mazraoui’s ability to play at right back or left back arrives at the perfect time and it would not be a surprise to see the Moroccan start against Fulham.
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