Manchester United have made a significant move in the transfer market by signing Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. The total cost of the signings is expected to be close to £60 million. De Ligt has signed a five-year contract with the option to extend for another year, while Mazraoui has signed a four-year deal with the same extension option.
The signing of Mazraoui could prove to be crucial for United, as he could immediately step in as a replacement for the injured Luke Shaw at left-back. Shaw is expected to return after the first international break, but in the meantime, Mazraoui’s presence will provide cover in that position. This will be particularly important as United prepare to face Fulham in the Premier League on Friday.
De Ligt, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience to the team. The 25-year-old Dutch center-back captained Ajax under the guidance of United manager Erik ten Hag, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League. United have agreed to pay a fee of £38.5 million, with an additional £4.3 million in add-ons for De Ligt.
Both De Ligt and Mazraoui credit Ten Hag for their development as players and are excited to work with him again at United. De Ligt expressed his determination to continue his success at the highest level with the club, while Mazraoui is looking forward to reuniting with Ten Hag during the prime years of his career.
Mazraoui’s arrival at United was contingent on the departure of defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who joined West Ham for a fee of £15 million. With United failing to secure the signing of Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, De Ligt emerged as a viable alternative for the center-back position. While Everton held firm on their valuation of £70 million for Branthwaite, De Ligt was considered a more affordable option with greater experience.
Overall, these signings represent a significant investment by United in strengthening their defensive options. De Ligt and Mazraoui bring a combination of experience and potential, and their familiarity with Ten Hag’s coaching style could prove to be a valuable asset. As United prepare for the upcoming Premier League season, these signings demonstrate their commitment to building a strong and competitive squad.