De Ligt gives Ten Hag's United much-needed defensive stability
Matthijs de Ligt is the focus of recent transfer rumors in a move that would send him from Bayern Munich to Manchester United. If this comes to fruition, De Ligt would reunite with his former manager at Ajax, Erik ten Hag. De Ligt made his debut with Ajax as a teenager, admittedly before Ten Hag arrived at the Dutch giant. However, with Erik ten Hag at the helm, the center-back became a mainstay in the senior squad. Rapidly, he emerged as one of the best center-backs in Europe.
The highlight of that was the 2018/19 season. With Matthijs de Ligt making 55 total appearances, Ajax won the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup. Yet, Ajax’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinal showed De Ligt was one of the top center-backs in the world at the age of 19. That season, he won the Golden Boy Award as the top young player in the world. He was the first defender to win that award.
The transfer rumors for De Ligt to Manchester United come at a time when much of his excitement has tapered off. After that sensational stint with Ajax, the center-back made a big-money move to Juventus, one of the clubs he knocked out in the UEFA Champions League campaign in 2018/19. Three years at Juventus showed promise, but De Ligt only helped Juventus to a Serie A and Coppa Italia title. His subsequent move to Bayern Munich, which was also an expensive transfer, was inconsistent. Several minor injuries combined with the up-and-down performances to hamper his use at Bayern Munich.
That has lowered the asking price ever so slightly for De Ligt. Manchester United does not have a public transfer fee yet for De Ligt, but initial reports suggest at least $55 million for the transfer. Yet, this is a positive move for both Manchester United and Matthijs de Ligt.
United gives De Ligt a chance for resurgence on a major stage
Reuniting Matthijs de Ligt with Erik ten Hag rekindles a major partnership between player and coach. Matthijs de Ligt is still 24 years old. Despite playing for Juventus and Bayern Munich regularly, there is a note of unfulfilled potential for the center-back. At Ajax, ten Hag made de Ligt captain after commanding a backline as a teenager. While often prone to mistakes that Juventus and Bayern Munich supporters criticized, his defensive ability and physical stature allowed him to stand out.
At Bayern, De Ligt fell down the order of preference among center-backs. That led to dips in confidence, something he failed to get back after occupying a spot on the bench for the Netherlands national team. However, Erik ten Hag can instill that confidence again. At each of his clubs, coaches and fans alike saw the potential of a player like De Ligt. The only issue is the pressure a club like Manchester United carries.
Every wayward pass, defensive miscalculation, mistimed challenge or other error immediately earns the brunt of Manchester United criticism. If Juventus and Bayern Munich put De Ligt under the spotlight, Manchester United only increases the brightness. That said, Erik ten Hag can be the one to allow De Ligt to feel more comfortable. Paired up with a ball-playing center-back like Lisandro Martinez, De Ligt can return to his physical focus of preventing goals instead of filling multiple roles.
PHOTOS: IMAGO.