Should Manchester United prepare a move for Matthijs de Ligt?

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt in the summer transfer window.

The Netherlands international’s relationship with Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is not positive anymore. The arrival of Kim Min-jae from Napoli in the summer saw Matthijs de Ligt slip behind in the defensive pecking order. Now that the Bavarian giants have also signed Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur, he fears becoming the fourth-choice centre-back at the Allianz Arena.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United are keeping tabs on Matthijs de Ligt’s situation at Bayern Munich.

Despite signing Dier earlier in this winter transfer window, Bayern are already planning a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. If they are to sign Araujo, the German champions must free up space in the squad and raise cash. As De Ligt’s relationship with Thomas Tuchel seems to have soured in recent months, Bayern would be open to selling the Dutchman after only two years.

Selling De Ligt in January looks improbable, though, as Bayern’s squad is short and there are several injuries in the defensive department, the report adds.

Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United—Should the Red Devils make a move?

Manchester United find themselves languishing down in seventh place in the Premier League table after yet another substandard start to a campaign which also saw them crash out of the Champions League at the group stage.

However, things could change following the arrival of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with discussions having taken place between Man United’s football director John Murtough and manager Erik ten Hag to identify transfer priorities ahead of the summer transfer window. The pair are keen to revamp the defence that has leaked 29 goals in 21 Premier League games so far this season.

The Red Devils would be open to offers for Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, while Raphael Varane could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season after the club opted against activating a one-year extension in his contract. With Man United needing to bolster their defence this summer, they have been heavily linked with a move for Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt, 24, joined Bayern in 2022 after three years at Juventus. Before that, he was managed by Ten Hag at Ajax, becoming the youngest player to play in a major European final when he faced Man United in the Europa League in 2017. The Dutchman, however, has struggled with injuries this season and started only three games in the Bundesliga. He has fallen down the pecking order under Tuchel, and with Bayern further planning to reinforce their defence in the summer, De Ligt’s time at the Allianz Arena could be coming to an end.

The Netherlands international could be the ideal, long-term replacement for players like Varane and Maguire. De Ligt is already rated as among the finest centre-backs in world football, and he has the potential to succeed in the Premier League as well. Ten Hag knows the player in and out having managed him at Ajax, and he could help the 24-year-old fulfil his tremendous potential at Old Trafford. Due to his passing ability, physicality and reading of the game, he could complement Lisandro Martinez at the heart of Man United’s defence.

Thus, Man United should go all out for De Ligt if Bayern decides to sell him in the summer.