Lothar Matthaus speaks out on Matthijs de Ligt potential transfer to Man Utd, Bayern legend has concerns

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Manchester United’s expected move for Matthijs de Ligt has been causing some concern for those associated with Bayern Munich.

Centre-back is a position Manchester United need to strengthen and Matthijs de Ligt currently looks to be the most likely incoming.

United are pushing to sign Leny Yoro too, per The Guardian. While Yoro makes up his mind, De Ligt has already decided he wants to sign for United, says Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.

A fee has not yet been agreed with Bayern Munich, who are open to letting the defender leave as they remodel their squad after a disappointing season.

• READ: The shaping of Matthijs De Ligt, the Golden Boy winner who had to play down Franz Beckenbauer comparisons

Lothar Matthaus on Matthijs de Ligt

The prospect of selling Matthijs de Ligt is a controversial one at his club. Bayern Munich fans launched a petition to keep De Ligt, demonstrating their strength of feeling towards him.

Former Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn helping bring the Netherlands international to Bayern in 2022. Kahn expressed his concerns at selling De Ligt earlier this week.

His view on De Ligt has been echoed by club legend Lothar Matthaus. In a new interview with Sport1, he has expressed his concerns, with Bayern linked with selling De Ligt and Joshua Kimmich.

He said: “For me, Matthijs de Ligt is someone who has the Bayern Munich gene. Joshua Kimmich is also someone for whom I don’t really need a new number six.

“But these are decisions made by the club and the player. Everyone thinks a little differently.”

He underlined his view, pointing out De Ligt and Kimmich ‘have that Bayern Munich gene that you haven’t felt in recent years with some of the players you’ve signed’.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

De Ligt a top talent

De Ligt missed a handful of games at Bayern Munich due to injury last season. He had added competition for his place due to Kim Min-Jae’s arrival at the club.

Data shows Bayern have been better in matches De Ligt has played, averaging a much lower points total in the games he has missed.

De Ligt is still only 24, and he is a player Erik ten Hag knows well. During their time at Ajax, the Manchester United boss tipped De Ligt to be the best in the world.

Manchester United have signed De Ligt’s international teammate Joshua Zirkzee. The centre-back could be another important addition, which helps the manager imprint his preferred playing style on the squad.