I was already sure I wanted to join”—How Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence contributed to Manchester United completing their deal to sign Matthijs De Ligt this summer

I was already certain I wanted to join”—How Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact played a role in Manchester United finalizing their deal to sign Matthijs De Ligt this summer.

Published 2 days ago on August 14, 2024

By soocer442

In November 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United after a challenging second spell.

Erik ten Hag has already benefited from Cristiano Ronaldo’s valuable advice concerning one of Manchester United’s upcoming signings.

The Portuguese star spent two seasons at Old Trafford, the latter under Ten Hag, before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022. Ronaldo’s early success at the club, having come from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager, ensures his time with the Red Devils is remembered positively.

The former Real Madrid star, who has been a leading figure in football for over twenty years, has accumulated significant experience in winning and competing at the top level, making him a legendary figure in the sport. Ronaldo has previously offered guidance to one of Manchester United’s new summer recruits, assisting Ten Hag in shaping the team’s future.

Matthijs De Ligt, who moved from Ajax to Juventus in 2019, mentioned that Ronaldo’s supportive advice was crucial to his decision. Notably, the two players lost only 12 games in their 68 appearances together in Turin.I was already certain I wanted to join”—How Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence contributed to Manchester United finalizing their deal to sign Matthijs De Ligt this summer.

“I was already certain that I wanted to join Juve after the final,” De Ligt revealed after the Netherlands played Portugal in the Nations League final in 2019. “It was a great honor to have [Cristiano] Ronaldo invite me to join, but it didn’t change my decision.”

At just 25 years old, De Ligt has gained experience from his time in Holland, Italy, and Germany. It is clear that Manchester United’s manager believes the strong center-back will add value to his defense during a crucial season at Old Trafford, given their past working relationship.

Last month, Ten Hag mentioned his interest in De Ligt, stating, “I wanted to sign him two years ago, but he was already on his way to Bayern.” Interestingly, his name did not come from me during the process.

Additionally, INEOS has reached a dual agreement with Vincent Kompany’s team, and Noussair Mazraoui, a former Ajax player and defender, is also anticipated to join the club. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move to West Ham United, the Moroccan is expected to provide Diogo Dalot with more competition.Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence continues to resonate at Manchester United, even after his departure in 2022. According to recent reports, Ronaldo’s advice played a crucial role in Manchester United’s pursuit of Matthijs De Ligt this summer. Although De Ligt made his move from Ajax to Juventus in 2019, Ronaldo’s encouragement at the time left a lasting impression on the Dutch defender. De Ligt, who has since gained valuable experience at Juventus and Bayern Munich, has become a key signing for United this summer.

During their time together at Juventus, De Ligt and Ronaldo formed a strong bond, losing only 12 games in their 68 appearances together. This connection, combined with Ronaldo’s words of support, helped solidify De Ligt’s decision to join Manchester United, fulfilling a long-standing desire of Erik ten Hag, who had previously expressed interest in signing the defender.

As United continues to rebuild under Ten Hag, De Ligt’s addition strengthens the defense, bringing in his top-tier experience from Holland, Italy, and Germany. Furthermore, United is reportedly finalizing deals to bring in other key players, including Noussair Mazraoui, to provide competition for Diogo Dalot, following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure to West Ham United.

This summer’s transfer activity reflects Manchester United’s ambitions to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in English and European football, with the impact of former legends like Ronaldo still influencing key decisions.