Man United announce the signing of Matthijs De Ligt

Manchester United have confirmed the £60million double signing of Bayern Munich defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

The pair will join as the club’s third and fourth signings of the summer transfer window with Erik ten Hag’s side having now spent approximately £149m on new players after previously landing Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.

Both deals are subject to the completion of each player’s registration. De Ligt, 25,  arrives in a £38.5m (€45m) deal with a potential further £4.27m (€5m) in add ons. The Dutch centre back has also signed a five-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2029, with an option to extend for a further year.

Right back, Mazraoui, 26, will join the club for a fee of £12.8m (€15m) plus a possible £4.27 (€5m) in add ons. He has agreed a deal that will keep him at the club until June 2028 and also has an option to extend his contract by another year. 

United had intensified their search for a new centre back and a pair of full backs on both sides of defence at the beginning of the transfer window, having struggled with a raft of injuries to key defenders last season. 

De Ligt and Mazraoui are now set to reunite with their former coach, Ten Hag, with both having spent time working under the Dutch manager at Ajax. 

The pair had flown in from Munich on Monday morning to undertake a medical and were also pictured enjoying a meal out at the upmarket Sexy Fish restaurant in Deansgate yesterday evening.  

De Ligt, who will take the No4 shirt, said on the move: ‘As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such a historic club.

‘In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it.’

‘Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again,’ the Dutch international added. 

‘I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.’

Man United sporting director Dan Ashworth added: ‘Matthijs is an outstanding defender and proven winner who will add quality, experience and leadership to our existing group of senior players.

‘He has already enjoyed considerable success in his career, and we are convinced that his best years are still ahead; we want to help him achieve them at Manchester United.’

De Ligt and Mazraoui are both graduates from Ajax’s illustrious academy, with De Ligt having left the club in 2019 to join Juventus. He would win the Serie A title in 2020, before moving to Bayern in 2022, where he would clinch the Bundesliga title in 2023. 

Mazraoui, meanwhile, played an integral role in Morocco’s 2022 World Cup campaign, helping the Atlas Lions reach the semi-finals of the tournament. The full-back, who can play on both sides of defence, joined Bayern from Ajax in 2022, having won three Eredivisie titles with the Dutch outfit. 

‘It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt,’ the Moroccan international said on his move. 

‘I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.

‘Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player, so it is exciting to be reuniting with him as I enter the prime years of my career. 

‘I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful.’

Ashworth added: ‘Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.

‘Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.’

Prior to the announcement, De Ligt had also taken to social media to bid farewell to Bayern Munich and the club’s fans. 

The Dutch centre back joined Bayern Munich back in July 2022, and took to Instagram to state it was a ‘bittersweet’ feeling to be leaving the club.

‘Dear Bayern fans,’ De Ligt wrote.

‘I want to thank each and everyone of you for all your love and support. I have spent two amazing years playing for this beautiful club. It has been a true honour to have played for a club like Bayern Munich. We have achieved unforgettable moments together. Winning the title as well as several amazing Champions League nights. These memories will stay with me forever.

‘This is why leaving this club feels bittersweet. I will always remember the love and support I have received from the players, the staff members and from the fans. The recent petition signed by so many of you has touched me deeply.

‘Thank you all for the two amazing years. I wish FC Bayern good luck winning many more titles, like Bayern has always done. Mia San Mia.’

The news also comes as the club confirmed this evening that Luke Shaw, who was sidelined for most of last season with a soft tissue injury, will miss Untied’s opening few weeks of the season, due to a calf injury.

United could make more moves in the summer transfer window as Ten Hag targets a new central midfielder.

It appears Red Devils chiefs could revive their interest in Manuel Ugarte. 

United had been unwilling to meet PSG’s £52m asking price for the Argentinian, and that still remains a hurdle. The club are also interested in Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, and have made an approach for the Frenchman.