word statement as Man Utd transfer confirmed
- Manchester United finalizes the signing of Matthijs de Ligt for £43million.
- The deal includes an upfront payment of close to £38m and additional £5m in add-ons.
- Former teammates have contrasting views on the quality of the new signing.
Manchester United's acquisition of Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich for £43 million has raised eyebrows among football pundits, with former player Paul Scholes expressing significant concerns. Scholes labeled De Ligt a "second-rate defender," questioning his lack of playing time at Bayern and his previous struggles at Juventus. He emphasized that De Ligt's inability to secure a spot in the national team during the Euros further highlights his decline since his promising early years at Ajax. Despite Scholes' criticism, other former players, including Micah Richards, defended the signing, suggesting that De Ligt could address United's defensive issues. Richards noted that De Ligt's agility could provide a more adventurous approach compared to slower defenders like Harry Maguire. The contrasting opinions reflect a broader debate about whether De Ligt can meet the high expectations at Manchester United, especially given the club's recent struggles in defense. As United prepares for the new season, the pressure mounts on De Ligt to perform. The club is also finalizing a double deal that includes Noussair Mazraoui, who is expected to fill the right-back position vacated by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who recently transferred to West Ham. The changes in the squad signal a significant overhaul under manager Erik Ten Hag, who is keen to reshape the team's defensive lineup. With the new season approaching, all eyes will be on De Ligt as he attempts to prove his critics wrong and establish himself as a key player for Manchester United.