Manchester United are close to completing a double signing for Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
However, Rio Ferdinand, one of the most iconic defenders in the club’s history, doubts that De Ligt is the solution to Erik ten Hag’s defensive problems.
Ferdinand, who made more than 450 appearances for United and won six Premier League titles, understands the pressure that comes with being part of the Red Devils’ defence.
Concerns have been raised over United’s central defence depth following the summer departures of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala, coupled with injury setbacks to Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez over the past year.
In addition, new signing Leny Yoro has been out for three months due to an injury sustained during pre-season.
Rio Ferdinand: Is it really going to make a big difference?
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand expressed his admiration for the Dutchman during his early career: “I watched him at Ajax and he was brilliant that year when Erik ten Hag was the coach, and they reached the semi-final.” [of the Champions League] and was beaten by Spurs. He was brilliant, imposing, everything you expect from a defender.”
??Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United, here we come! Bayern accept Manchester United’s condition of including extras.
Fixed fee of 45 million euros, add-ons of 5 million euros and also payments spread over three years.
Matthijs will sign a five-year contract plus an optional year… as soon as he is cleared to travel. photo.twitter.com/DV53zXq8gu
—Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2024
Since his time at Ajax, the 24-year-old has faced numerous injury problems and found himself at a disadvantage at Bayern Munich during the 2023/24 season under Thomas Tuchel.
Ferdinand questioned whether his former club had made the right decision: “He’s had a lot of injuries, he hasn’t started many games in the last two or three years and Manchester United are spending £45-50m on him.”
“Is he going to come to Manchester United and make a difference? I think that’s a lot to ask of him and all eyes will be on him. There’s a lot of pressure, a big opportunity for him, but there’s a lot of uncertainty with this signing, I think, because his previous seasons with two big clubs (Juventus and Bayern Munich) didn’t go as well as we had hoped.
“I don’t think he’s the answer, but it’s a great opportunity for me to come in and say, ‘You know what, guys? I’m going to rectify my last two seasons. That’s not really me and I’m going to prove it to you.'”
