Without hiding it, during the press conference during the 2024 summer tour, captain Erik ten Hag admitted that Manchester United is paying attention to Dutch midfielder - Matthijs de Ligt, a star on the Bayern Munich staff.
From the beginning of the 2024 summer transfer period until now, Man United has recruited two very potential contracts: Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna) and Leny Yoro (Lille). These two stars have cost the "Red Devils" more than 100 million Euros and the Old Trafford team's rookie shopping spree has not stopped.
Manchester United's interest in Matthijs de Ligt began at the end of June. At that time, a number of reputable sources in England such as The Athletic revealed that Ten Hag wanted to reunite with his former student. This is a necessary move for the team after Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala both left. In addition to De Ligt, Man United is also considering a number of other cases at the central defender position, especially Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton).
During the past two seasons at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag was commented on having excessive favor for Dutch players or those he coached at Ajax Amsterdam. Tyrell Malacia and Wout Weghorst are Dutch while Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana have all had good times playing for the Johan Cruyff Arena team.
Even in this summer transfer window, the coaching staff also welcomed other Dutchmen such as the famous former "Red Devils" Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake. Previously, Mitchell van der Gaag left the team after 1 season as an assistant for Ten Hag.
The 54-year-old strategist shared that the fact that the team continues to be interested in Dutch personnel is just a coincidence. Ten Hag emphasized that when a goal is put into focus, it is the collective choice of the whole team and does not come from any individual's perspective.
"At this time, we are still seeing whether De Ligt will join the team or not. I know him very well and do not deny that I am interested. Manchester United wanted to bring De Ligt back 2 years ago At that time, there was a time when De Ligt from Juventus to Bayern could not reach a common consensus. This is the truth, believe it or not.
I know things like this will easily make people think of the general picture of the entire team at the present time (too much favoring the Dutch star). However, I repeat that once someone is on the radar, that star must first meet the criteria of being a qualified character and suitable for the club or not. Besides, age is also a factor that needs to be considered.
I understand that when you don't have good results, that (favoring Dutch players) can be ridiculed by the media and draw all kinds of negative scenarios. However, nationality has nothing to do with it. It doesn't matter if the player is from the Netherlands, France, Sweden or any other country.
The coaching staff and I made the decision together and we all believe everything is going in the right direction" - Ten Hag shared.
Next season, Erik ten Hag will have to face a compatriot in the English Derby, Liverpool's new captain Arne Slot . Previously, the two had time to compete against each other when they both led clubs in the Dutch Eredivisie championship.
