Matthijs De Ligt Reveals True Reasons Behind Manchester United Move

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Matthijs de Ligt has refuted claims that Erik ten Hag was the main reason for his move to Manchester United. Alongside Noussair Mazraoui, De Ligt joined the Red Devils from Bayern Munich in August for up to £60 million. Despite his breakthrough at Ajax under Ten Hag, where he became the club's youngest-ever captain, De Ligt insists his decision was not influenced by a reunion with his former coach.

De Ligt's time at Ajax was marked by significant achievements. Under Ten Hag's leadership, Ajax reached their first Champions League semi-final since 1997 and secured a domestic double by winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup. Following this success, De Ligt transferred to Juventus before eventually moving to Manchester United.

The Dutch defender has expressed satisfaction with his new environment. "I'm already settled in Manchester and enjoying myself. The boys are great, everything was handled perfectly. There's also many Dutch guys on the staff," he told Dutch outlet Vandaag Inside, via Manchester Evening News.

De Ligt emphasized that joining Manchester United was about more than just reuniting with Ten Hag. "Erik ten Hag is not the only reason I joined United. We're talking about Manchester United here, one of the biggest clubs in the world. There's lots of pressure because the fans are used to things from the past. It's up to us to be as good as possible," he stated.

Since joining United, De Ligt has played only 89 minutes in the Premier League. His first start came during a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, where he made just one interception and one tackle. Despite limited playing time, he remains optimistic about his role at the club.

International Performance

De Ligt was part of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 but did not play any minutes during the tournament as the team reached the semi-finals. He returned for their first two Nations League matches but faced criticism for two lapses in concentration against Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 5-2 victory.

The defender's journey continues as he aims to establish himself at Manchester United while contributing to his national team's success. His focus remains on adapting to new challenges and meeting high expectations both domestically and internationally.