“I will not deny that”: Erik ten Hag speaks out on Manchester United’s pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed that his side are indeed pursuing a swoop for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt although he personally didn’t recommend the player.

United have already signed Leny Yoro from Lille but it’s believed the club want a second top-class centre-back.

In addition to De Ligt, the Red Devils have also been strongly linked to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. United saw a second bid for Branthwaite rejected by the Toffees but it has been suggested that a third offer is forthcoming, especially considering the dire financial situation of Sean Dyche’s side.

De Ligt is willing to join United ahead of a possible reunion with Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The two of course successfully worked together at Ajax before De Ligt completed a switch to Serie A giants Juventus.

It was stated that United have presented the Netherlands international with a five-year contract offer, which he has accepted.

All that’s left is to strike an agreement over his transfer fee with Bayern. At the moment, the two clubs are still some distance apart in terms of their valuation of the 24-year-old.

Ten Hag spoke to Dutch publication AD Sportwereld (via 90min) and spoke out on United’s interest in De Ligt.

The Red Devils manager said, “It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come.”

“I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich (from Juventus) but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process (of targeting signings).”

Ten Hag revealed that United’s list of transfer targets was finalised by the club’s scouting and recruitment department while he was on holiday this summer.

The 54-year-old however insisted that he still has a say on United’s transfer activities and he supports the decisions currently being made.

He added, “But of course, I support these decisions, let that be clear. We still make these choices together.”

“I know it creates a certain image, of course I understand how that works, but eventually, our criterion will prevail above everything else: is the player good or not? Is he the right character? Does he fit the age and quality bracket we are looking for?”

“I understand when you do not win, the media maligns you and there is a bad image, but it (nationality) is irrelevant —whether he is from the Netherlands, Sweden, or France. It is just like the colour of hair the player has. It does not matter what the outside world thinks.”

He opined that United are moving in the right direction.

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