Manchester United sign Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich as rebuild under INEOS continues
Updated 13/08/2024 at 21:52 GMT+1
Manchester United have continued their rebuild ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after completing the transfers of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. Both defenders have moved to Old Trafford after leaving Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and could feature for Erik ten Hag’s side when they kick off their Premier League season against Fulham on Friday.
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Manchester United have completed the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, the club announced on Tuesday.
De Ligt is set to be reunited with United manager Erik ten Hag after the pair previously worked together at Ajax.
The Netherlands international has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, while Mazraoui has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the option to extend for a further year.
Ten Hag made De Ligt Ajax's youngest-ever captain upon the coach's arrival in 2018, going on to win the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup in the same season.
Speaking to United, the Dutch defender said he was "impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out."
“As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such an 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," he said.
“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. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt left Ajax in 2019 for Juventus, before joining Bayern Munich in 2022 in a deal worth ÂŁ65m.
But the 24-year-old has struggled to earn a consistent place in the starting line-up at Bayern as the team went a season without a trophy for the first time in 12 years.
De Ligt has made 45 appearances for the Netherlands and was included in the Dutch squad for Euro 2024.
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Dan Ashworth, Manchester United sporting director, said: “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 will be part of a transition period at Old Trafford as Ineos begin their first full season in control of football operations and will be joined by former Bayern team-mate Mazraoui.
The 26-year-old right back has experience playing under Ten Hag was a team-mate of De Ligt at Ajax before reuniting at Bayern.
Speaking to the club's website, Mazraoui said: “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.
"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.”
The deals have been given the green light with full-back Aaron Wan Bissaka joining fellow Premier League side West Ham.
United have until Thursday to register both De Ligt and Mazraoui if they are to play a part in the Red Devils' opening Premier League fixture against Fulham on Friday night.
The team finished eighth in the Premier League in a largely underwhelming campaign, which was only redeemed by an impressive FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
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Watch the 2024/25 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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