- 7 hours ago
De Ligt denies Man Utd transfer theory after Netherlands disasterclass
Cameron Smith
- 8 Sept 2024 17:30 BST
- 3 min read
Matthijs de Ligt has insisted that Erik ten Hag isn’t the only reason he joined Manchester United this summer.
The Netherlands international famously worked under Ten Hag during their time together at Ajax and this has been perceived as a key reason why De Ligt sealed an Old Trafford switch.
However, the former Bayern Munich defender has now rebuffed such claims. He told Dutch outlet Vandaag Inside (as per Manchester Evening News): “Erik ten Hag was not the only reason I joined Manchester United.
READ MORE: Adrien Rabiot’s massive Man Utd contract demands
“We are talking about Manchester United here, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“There is a lot of pressure because the fans are used to things from the past. [Now it is] up to us!”
Man Utd paid an initial €45 million to sign De Ligt during the summer transfer window, meaning the Dutchman has already accumulated €197.5m worth of transfer fees during his short career to date.
READ MORE: Man Utd issue Ten Hag sack date
Matthijs de Ligt’s international struggles
De Ligt’s first ever start for Man Utd came during the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on 1 September, and his fortunes haven’t improved since then.
He was rewarded with a start for the Netherlands alongside Virgil van Dijk against Bosnia & Herzegovina, and although Ronald Koeman’s side ran out 5-2 winners, De Ligt was arguably at fault for both of the goals they conceded.
The Man Utd defender was certainly to blame for Edin Dzeko’s strike, with the former Manchester City forward able to finish after De Ligt failed to clear the ball inside the penalty area.
Current ETV
Matthijs de Ligt
D (C)
Man Utd
Matthijs de Ligt
D (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€42.7M - €71.2M
After the match, De Ligt admitted: “I think you know how I feel.. we won.. but then comes the individual part.. I should have done better at their second goal, and I know that.
“I don't really know what happened.. I should have cleared the ball but I kept having doubts during the play. It's just f****d.
“If this game is a missed opportunity for me? I don't know.. I just try to do my best.”
