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Manchester United’s €45 million switch of Matthijs de Ligt represents a strategic acquisition and an announcement of intent.
The Athletic’s Jacob Whitehead dives deep into the intricacies of the deal.
As a younger 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 membership’s crimson shirt he revered.
On the coronary heart of this switch is a bond that transcends the everyday player-manager relationship.
Erik ten Hag, the present United supervisor, performed a pivotal position in De Ligt’s improvement throughout their time collectively at Ajax. Ten Hag acknowledged De Ligt’s management qualities and appointed him the youngest captain in Ajax’s illustrious historical past.
This mutual belief, solid throughout these youth, was instrumental in De Ligt’s determination to decide on United over different European powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
The attract of reuniting with the coach who had nurtured his expertise and believed in his potential was too sturdy to withstand.
Nevertheless, De Ligt’s exit from Bayern Munich was difficult.
Regardless of being a fan-favourite and considered the membership’s finest defender by new coach Vincent Kompany, De Ligt was subtly pushed in the direction of the exit.
The membership’s hierarchy questioned his capability to play out from the again together with his weaker foot, casting doubts on his future at Bayern. The state of affairs was compounded by a irritating European Championship marketing campaign, the place De Ligt, regardless of being totally match, was relegated to the bench in favour of different defenders.
A interval of uncertainty and frustration finally set the stage for his transfer to Manchester.
United have wanted defensive reinforcements, significantly after the departure of Raphael Varane.
De Ligt’s arrival fills an important hole within the squad, offering United with a participant who combines youth with intensive expertise on the highest degree.
His management qualities, honed below Ten Hag at Ajax and additional developed throughout his stints at Juventus and Bayern, make him a useful addition to United’s defence.
Because the membership continues its rebuild below Ten Hag, De Ligt’s presence shall be essential each on and off the pitch.
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