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Manchester United have secured a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich for a fee of £38.6 million, with an additional £4.3 million in potential add-ons.
This move follows a separate deal for Noussair Mazraoui, who is also set to join Old Trafford. Mazraoui’s transfer is expected to proceed once Aaron Wan-Bissaka finalizes his move to West Ham United.
These acquisitions bring United’s total spending on defensive reinforcements this summer to over £100 million.
Earlier in the transfer window, the club signed Leny Yoro, although the French defender was recently sidelined for three months after breaking a metatarsal in just his second appearance for the club.
While Yoro’s signing was celebrated as a significant achievement for United, the imminent arrival of de Ligt has raised concerns among some former players.
Paul Scholes, a club legend, has voiced his reservations, describing the Netherlands international as “second-rate.”
Rio Ferdinand, another former United star, shares similar concerns regarding de Ligt’s career trajectory.
Rio Ferdinand raises concern over Matthijs de Ligt signing
Ferdinand noted that the defender’s stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich left him “filled with disappointment” and expressed doubts about de Ligt’s ability to succeed at Old Trafford, considering it “a big ask.”
Speaking on his show, “Rio Reacts,” Ferdinand offered his thoughts on the moves: “Mazraoui will play right-back because Wan-Bissaka will be sold.
“I think that’s a good deal all round. I still think [Diogo] Dalot plays ahead of him.”
However, when discussing de Ligt, Ferdinand’s tone shifted to one of skepticism. “I watched him at Ajax; he was brilliant that year when they got to the semi-final with ten Hag before being beaten by Spurs.
“He was commanding, everything you wanted in a defender, composed.”
Ferdinand continued, reflecting on de Ligt’s subsequent career moves: “Then he goes to Juventus, you look at that and think, great move.
“A defender going to learn from the likes of [Leonardo] Bonucci and [Giorgio] Chiellini and all them guys.
“But it just fills me with disappointment with the way his career has gone since then.”
Highlighting de Ligt’s struggles with injuries and limited playing time, Ferdinand added:
“I think he had 16 starts last season. Lot of injuries, doesn’t start many games in the last two or three years, and Manchester United are spending 45-50 million pounds on him.
“That’s another two teams who he was a sub for, a backup defender.”
Ferdinand concluded by expressing his doubts about de Ligt’s suitability for United: “I think it’s a big ask for him. Big pressure. Big opportunity, but there is a lot of uncertainty over him after his time with Juventus and Bayern Munich. I don’t think he’s the answer.
“But it’s a great opportunity for him to go in there and be like, ‘you know what guys, I’m going to rectify my last few seasons and show you the real me.’”
Ferdinand acknowledged the role of Erik ten Hag in this transfer, noting the manager’s familiarity with de Ligt: “Ten Hag knows him, the character, the person, and I hope he does a good job but I am going to reserve judgement on this one.”
Finally, Rio Ferdinand assessed United’s defensive lineup: “If Yoro and Martinez are both fit they both start. No one else gets a look in but Yoro is now out for three months.
“Is de Ligt fit right now to play? Eric Dier was starting in front of him and he was surplus to requirements at Spurs.
“That tells you a lot. This isn’t a signing that makes me go ‘wow.’ Hopefully ten Hag gets the best out of him.”
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