Manchester United have secured the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
Aug. 14, 2024, 5:13 a.m.
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Manchester United have acquired Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. While the English giants haven't disclosed the transfer fees for the duo, British media reports suggest a combined price tag of £60 million ($77 million, 70 million euros) for their arrival at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old Dutch defender, De Ligt, has agreed to a five-year contract with Manchester United, with an option for an additional year. This reunion marks a return to working with manager Erik ten Hag, whom he previously played under at Ajax in the Netherlands.
Advertisement “Upon hearing that Manchester United was interested in me, I felt a surge of excitement for the opportunity to take on a new challenge at such a historic club,” expressed De Ligt.
“The discussions I had with the club leaders impressed me with their vision for the team and the role they envisioned for me within it.”
“Erik ten Hag played a crucial role in shaping the early stages of my career, and he understands how to get the best out of me. I am eager to collaborate with him again.”
De Ligt has already accumulated league championships in three different countries, having achieved success with Ajax in the Netherlands, Juventus in Italy, and Bayern in Germany.
He concluded by stating: “I am well aware of what it takes to excel at the highest level, and I am dedicated to continuing this winning record at this exceptional club.”
De Ligt reinforces United's central defense after Raphael Varane's departure. Fellow summer signing Leny Yoro faces a potential three-month absence due to a foot injury sustained in a pre-season match against Arsenal.
Mazraoui, 26, previously played under Ten Hag at Ajax, securing three league titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern.
The defender has also represented Morocco 28 times and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
He has inked a four-year contract with an option for an additional year. His arrival coincides with the confirmation of full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka's transfer to fellow Premier League side West Ham.
Advertisement “It's an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I can't wait to step onto the field at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt,” said Mazraoui.
“I understand that I'm joining the club during an exciting period; everyone I've spoken with shares the same ambition to win trophies together, and I can sense the drive to achieve that.”
The newly acquired players are scheduled to be available for United's first game of the season against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday. The Red Devils are determined to improve on their eighth-place finish last season.
That left United a significant 31 points behind champions Manchester City.
They did defeat their local rivals in the FA Cup final before returning to Wembley last weekend to lose to Pep Guardiola's side on penalties in the Community Shield.
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