Bayern Munich Manager Wanted to Retain De Ligt Amid Transfer to Manchester United

Bayern Munich's manager Vincent Kompany reportedly opposed the sale of Matthijs De Ligt to Manchester United this summer, emphasizing that the Dutch defender was his "number one defender." Despite Kompany's intentions, De Ligt was transferred to Old Trafford for £38.5 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. The 25-year-old was named on the bench for United's opening Premier League match against Fulham, marking a significant shift in his career. De Ligt, who previously played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, had been a target for the club for some time. His move to Manchester came swiftly, alongside teammate Noussair Mazraoui, but it has emerged that the decision to sell De Ligt was made by Bayern's executives rather than Kompany. The defender had hoped to remain at Bayern, especially after being voted player of the month during a title-winning season, but injuries and a lack of playing time diminished his standing. The situation was further complicated by De Ligt's exclusion from the Netherlands national team during the recent Euros, where he did not feature as the team reached the semi-finals. Feeling sidelined, De Ligt sought a reunion with Ten Hag, who had previously made him Ajax's youngest captain. As interest from other European clubs like PSG and Barcelona grew, United's longstanding appeal to De Ligt ultimately secured the transfer. Bayern initially sought £46 million for De Ligt but lowered their asking price as United expressed interest in Mazraoui. De Ligt's admiration for Manchester United, cultivated during his youth by studying legendary defensive partnerships, played a crucial role in his decision to join the club.