Manchester United has secured the signing of Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in a deal potentially worth nearly £60 million.
De Ligt has inked a five-year contract with the club, while Mazraoui has committed to a four-year deal, both with options for an additional year. With the injury to Luke Shaw, Mazraoui may be immediately called into action to fill in at left-back when United hosts Fulham in the Premier League on Friday at 20:00 BST.
The Red Devils are set to pay £38.5 million plus an additional £4.3 million in performance-related add-ons for 25-year-old centre-back De Ligt, who previously captained Erik ten Hag’s Ajax team that made it to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. Both players attribute much of their development to Ten Hag, highlighting his significant influence on their careers.
“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,” said De Ligt. “I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
Mazraoui commented, “It is exciting to be reuniting with him [Ten Hag] 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.”
The Moroccan defender, 26, joins for an initial fee of £12.8 million, also with £4.3 million in potential add-ons.
Mazraoui’s arrival was contingent on the departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who transferred to West Ham for £15 million. With United having two bids rejected for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, De Ligt emerged as a more experienced and cost-effective solution, especially since Everton maintained their £70 million asking price for the young England international.
Credit: BBC Sport
