This summer, Manchester United has been instructed to sign a Premier League player rather than Matthijs de Ligt, who is a target for £42 million.

The legendary player for Liverpool, Phil Thompson, has questioned United’s decision to sign De Ligt and expressed concern that he would wind up at Old Trafford like Raphael Varane did.With Varane’s departure, Erik ten Hag, who signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester United following widespread rumors near the close of the previous campaign that he would be fired, will be signing a new center-back this summer.

After two lackluster seasons at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich is willing to move Ten Hag’s fellow Dutchman, De Ligt, to United, and things seem to be moving along nicely.

While the two were still at Ajax, Erik Ten Hag was De Ligt’s manager, and he is eager to work with the 24-year-old again at Old Trafford.

De Ligt is currently in Germany with the Netherlands Euro 2024 squad but is expected to accelerate his departure from Bayern following the tournament, with United his likely destination.

But former Sky Sports pundit Thompson has doubts over De Ligt and says Manchester United should instead be doing everything they can to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.

England defender earlier in the summer but their only offer, way short of Everton’s valuation, was instantly rejected by the Toffees.

‘Matthijs de Ligt is a good player, but when I look at Manchester United, I feel like they need a player who knows the Premier League,’ Thompson told Paddy Power.

‘They had Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, and he didn’t work out, so if you have de Ligt coming into the side, he might take a little bit of time to settle, which is something that United can’t afford to do.

‘Jarrad Branthwaite is a top class player and he’s going to be a future England international. I think he’s a top player and if I was in Manchester United’s position, he would be someone I would go for.’ Phil Thompson’s skepticism about Manchester United’s potential signing of Matthijs de Ligt is rooted in concerns about the Dutch defender’s ability to adapt quickly to the Premier League, drawing parallels to Raphael Varane’s mixed experience at Old Trafford. Thompson advocates for pursuing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton instead, highlighting Branthwaite’s familiarity with the Premier League and potential as a future England international. Erik ten Hag, however, appears keen on reuniting with De Ligt, whom he previously managed at Ajax, and Bayern Munich seems willing to negotiate the transfer after De Ligt’s underwhelming stint in Germany.