Manchester United have laid down an early marker for the season by completing the £60m double transfer deal of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
The United manager, Erik ten Hag, had made it plain to the board that he needed to reinforce his squad after last season was blighted by injuries. And the coach has had his wishes granted with De Ligt and Mazraoui swelling his options.
The double transfer boost, for a total outlay of just under £60m, comes on the day that Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure to West Ham for a £15m fee was confirmed.
The Netherlands defender De Ligt, is reunited with Ten Hag, whom he played under at Ajax, after agreeing a five-year contract with the option of another year.
De Ligt, who has won league titles with Ajax, Juventus and Bayern, said: “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such an historic club.
“In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it,” the 25-year-old added. “Erik shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt will strengthen United’s central defence following the departure of Raphaël Varane, with the fellow summer arrival Leny Yoro set to miss up to three months with a foot injury sustained against Arsenal in pre-season. The centre-back will reportedly cost an initial £38.5m fee, plus up to £4.3m in add-ons.
Full-back Mazraoui also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, winning three league titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern. The Morocco international has also made 28 appearances for his country and played in the semi-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup. His reported fee is £12.8m plus £4.3m in potential add-ons.
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Mazraoui, who has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further year, said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt. I know I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”
The new arrivals are set to be available for United’s season-opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday night. One player who will not be involved is Luke Shaw. The England full-back has sustained a calf injury which the club say will keep him out until next month’s international break.
Shaw will have to sit out United’s Premier League fixtures at home to Fulham and Liverpool, as well as the trip to Brighton. The 29-year-old could also be a doubt for England’s Nations League matches next month against the Republic of Ireland and Finland – the first fixtures under new interim manager Lee Carsley.
Source: theguardian.com
