Manchester United want to stop falling behind and are not messing around in the transfer market, and the arrival of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui at Old Trafford is proof that the Red Devils are ready to make a leap in quality. With a defense that left a lot to be desired last season, the duo from Bayern Munich arrive with the mission of solving once and for all the problems that plagued Erik Ten Hag. And the best thing is that both players have known the captain for a long time, which means that they can get used to each other almost immediately.
Let's start with Matthijs de Ligt. The young Dutch defender, who was a standout at Ajax and a key player in their run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019, arrives to be the pillar of United's defense. It's a surgical signing, given that the club had been struggling to find a consistent center-back pairing, often forcing Casemiro out of his natural position to plug the gap. Not to mention the departure of Raphael Varane, who didn't renew and left the club as a free agent
De Ligt has arrived to fill that gap. And not just because of his name, the youngster has an imposing physical presence, a keen reading of the game and a leadership ability that has impressed since his days at Ajax. The defender also had a good spell at Bayern Munich, who didn't have the season of their dreams and had a lot of technical problems too. Well, the fact that he played under Ten Hag reinforces that the coach knows exactly how to get the best out of the defender.
The amount invested in De Ligt, around 45 million pounds, may seem high to some, but considering the current market and what he can deliver on the pitch, it's a justified investment. United's defense needs solidity, a leader who organizes the line and is able to hold off pressure at critical moments. With him on the pitch, Ten Hag gains the peace of mind of being able to entrust his defense to someone who already knows his style of play, his tactical demands.
Now let's talk about Noussair Mazraoui. United's right-back position had also been a cause for concern. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, despite his defensive strengths, was never able to deliver what the team needed in terms of attacking support. With his departure to West Ham, the arrival of Mazraoui becomes even more relevant. This is a player who combines technique, speed and a rare ability to create plays from the back. And, like De Ligt, Mazraoui was also part of that magical Ajax team of 2019, which means he is already familiar with Ten Hag's style of play.
Mazraoui will be competing with Diogo Dalot, and that competition will only raise the level of the team. While Dalot offers more defensive consistency, Mazraoui is more explosive and can be a lethal weapon in games where United need more attacking presence down the flanks. And considering that the amount invested in him was £20 million, it's an addition to the squad that makes a lot of sense, especially when you consider the balance between cost and benefit.
Erik Ten Hag knows that in order to compete on equal terms with the Premier League giants, he needs a squad that is not only talented, but also mentally strong and willing to put United back on top of world soccer. De Ligt and Mazraoui come to the team after spells at Bayern Munich and are looking for fresh air to prove their worth.