Matthijs de Ligt has to change Erik ten Hag's mind at Manchester United
Man Utd are set to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
It has taken five years, but Manchester United are finally set to sign Matthijs de Ligt.
They were one of many teams who missed out on his signature when he left Ajax for Juventus back in 2019, the fact he is now jumping at the chance to move to Old Trafford says a lot about how his career has gone since then.
De Ligt still arrives with an enormous reputation and an impressive CV, having won the title in three different top leagues, yet there is a reason why Bayern are happy to sell him this close to the start of a new season. The 25-year-old has never really built upon his very impressive early years at Ajax and it is still unclear just how good he really is. It should become a lot clearer once he is under the intense scrutiny and spotlight of the English media.
A move to Manchester represents a fresh start at a crucial time in his career and being able to work under a manager he trusts in Erik ten Hag could hold the key to finally fulfilling his enormous potential. The harsh reality is that even by United's standards he was initially a back-up choice this summer. They openly prioritised the signing of Leny Yoro instead of him and if not for injury, might not have even revisited a move for the Dutch centre-back.
It is also worth noting he was not a starter for the Netherlands at the European Championship this summer, and didn't play a single second as Stefan de Vrij partnered Virgil van Dijk ahead of him. He might have an elite reputation, but right now he is not performing at an elite level.
He should get chances at Old Trafford, though. With Yoro out until at least November, he is the leading candidate to partner Lisandro Martinez in central defence and the French youngster could even struggle to win a starting role back if he performs well during his audition period. The real challenge will come when they are all fit, with De Ligt effectively arriving as the third choice central defender.
There can be no illusion that despite De Ligt's notoriety, he joins United at a time when his stock is rather low and he is in need of an arm around the shoulder and a confidence boost when it has been considerably knocked before. It means he could be the perfect fit a United side who are in the same position themselves.