Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration with Manchester United for allegedly hijacking his top transfer targets this summer. He mentioned how they previously forced a Real Madrid target to join them and are now attempting to do the same with one of his top picks. Guardiola vowed to seek revenge during the Community Shield final.
In a separate but related context, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed their interest in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt. Since ten Hag’s arrival, United has consistently been linked with Dutch players. Their first signing this summer was Joshua Zirkzee, a Netherlands international.
In an interview with AD Sportwereld, ten Hag acknowledged his interest in De Ligt, noting that he had wanted to sign him two years ago before the player joined Bayern Munich.
Ten Hag emphasized that transfer decisions are made collaboratively within the club, focusing on the player’s quality, character, and fit within the team, rather than nationality.
Despite media speculation, ten Hag dismissed the notion that nationality is a significant factor in his transfer decisions. He reiterated that choices are made based on whether the player meets the club’s criteria, regardless of their background.
Ten Hag also defended the club’s strategy, stating that they are moving in the right direction and making the best possible selections for the team.
De Ligt, valued at £55 million, is considered a high-quality center-back with exceptional defensive skills and tactical intelligence. He previously played under ten Hag at Ajax before moving to Juventus in 2019.
United’s persistent pursuit of Frenkie de Jong over the past two years further underscores ten Hag’s preference for working with Dutch players.
In addition to targeting De Ligt, United has made significant moves this summer, including signing young sensation Leny Yoro. However, to fund the potential acquisition of De Ligt, United may need to sell players such as Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire. Offloading these players would free up funds and create space in the squad for De Ligt’s arrival.
The recruitment of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to the coaching staff also highlights ten Hag’s intent to build a solid Dutch contingent at Old Trafford. While ten Hag insists he did not force the club to pursue De Ligt, adding the Netherlands defender would significantly strengthen United’s defense.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Manchester United’s pursuit of De Ligt will depend on their ability to generate funds through player sales, positioning them to secure the Dutch defender and bolster their squad for the upcoming season.
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