Medical completed: Manchester United beat PSG and Barcelona to transfer deal as star completes medical, set to sign Six-years deal- NOT UGARTE
In 2023, just before the Glazers finally agreed to allow Ineos to take over Manchester United, a former scout at Old Trafford expressed his frustration at seeing one of the most promising young football talents slip through the club’s fingers. Marcel Bout, a Dutchman who spent eight years working at Manchester United after being brought in alongside Louis van Gaal, was particularly eager to leverage the club’s connections with Ajax.During this time, Edwin van der Sar, the legendary goalkeeper, was serving as the CEO of Ajax. Bout saw an opportunity to establish a strong relationship between Manchester United and Ajax, particularly to secure the signing of Matthijs de Ligt, one of the brightest talents emerging from the Dutch club. In an interview with *Algemeen Dagblad*, Bout recalls advising Ed Woodward, then the executive vice-chairman of Manchester United, to capitalize on their ties with van der Sar to facilitate future transfers from Ajax. He specifically pointed out the talents of De Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, urging United to strike early deals for such players, allowing them to continue their development in the Netherlands before eventually joining the Red Devils.
Unfortunately, Bout’s recommendations were ignored, as various internal dynamics within Manchester United prevented the club from acting on his advice. Bout, along with others, was left bewildered by the club’s reluctance to heed the advice of its recruitment experts. Reflecting on the situation, Bout likely wished that a group like Ineos, known for its strategic approach, had been in charge instead of the Glazers and Woodward, who were often criticized for their involvement in football decisions.
Despite the missed opportunity, Bout’s wish for De Ligt to join Manchester United eventually came true, though it was a delayed and roundabout journey. De Ligt finally moved to Old Trafford after a £38 million transfer, having first played for Juventus and then Bayern Munich. The signing was hailed as a ‘phenomenal’ piece of business, emblematic of the new era under Ineos, where the club refused to overpay, standing firm in negotiations—something Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the head of Ineos, was particularly keen to enforce.
De Ligt’s choice to join Manchester United was significant, as he turned down interest from other major European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Barcelona. Reports suggest that De Ligt was motivated by the opportunity to reunite with Erik ten Hag, the manager who had a profound impact on his development during their time together at Ajax. Ten Hag had not only given De Ligt the captain’s armband as a teenager but had also predicted that he would become one of the world’s best center-backs. De Ligt himself has credited Ten Hag as being the most influential coach in his career.
De Ligt made his debut for Manchester United as a substitute in a 1-0 victory over Fulham. While he might not immediately break into the starting lineup, given Harry Maguire’s strong performances alongside Lisandro Martinez, his time will undoubtedly come.
European football experts are optimistic about De Ligt’s potential at Manchester United. David Cartlidge, speaking on the *On the Continent* podcast, praised the club’s decision to sign De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, another ex-Ajax player, for a price well below what they might have paid for other targets. He emphasized that De Ligt still has the potential to become a world-class center-back, and that Manchester United’s acquisition of both players represents a significant upgrade to their squad.
As Manchester United continues to rebuild under the new ownership and the guidance of Erik ten Hag, the future looks promising, with De Ligt poised to play a central role in the club’s ambitions.Marcel Bout’s frustration over the missed opportunity to sign Matthijs de Ligt highlights the internal struggles at Manchester United before the Glazers’ decision to allow Ineos to take over. Bout, who had deep connections with Ajax and advised Ed Woodward to capitalize on these ties, saw De Ligt and Frenkie de Jong as key targets. His advice was ignored, contributing to missed chances during a turbulent period at the club.
De Ligt’s eventual transfer to Manchester United for £38 million, after stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich, marked a significant shift in the club’s approach under Ineos. The move was praised as a shrewd piece of business, reflecting Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s emphasis on strategic negotiations. De Ligt’s decision to join Manchester United was influenced by his desire to work with Erik ten Hag again, who had a profound impact on his early career.
Despite starting as a substitute, De Ligt’s potential to become a top-class center-back is well-regarded. With experts like David Cartlidge highlighting the value of the acquisition, De Ligt’s role in Manchester United’s future ambitions under Ten Hag is promising.
