Manchester United’s pursuit of Bayern Munich’s defensive duo, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, signals Erik ten Hag’s intent to bolster the squad significantly ahead of the new Premier League season. According to David Ornstein, United has submitted a double bid, which Bayern Munich initially rejected. However, with personal terms agreed, the negotiations are far from over. De Ligt and Mazraoui, commanding a combined weekly wage of £388,000, represent a significant investment for the Red Devils.
🚨 EXCL: Man Utd submit joint offer to sign Matthijs de Ligt + Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. Opening bid rejected & #FCBayern request higher fee but talks ongoing as #MUFC try to agree deal. Personal terms in place on 5+1yr contracts @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/k3pHo3CbDG
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 2, 2024
The necessity of signing De Ligt became more apparent with the recent injury to young defender Leny Yoro. At just 18, Yoro cannot be relied upon as the sole solution to United’s defensive woes. De Ligt’s previous experience under Ten Hag at Ajax and his ability on the ball make him an ideal candidate to strengthen the backline. Also important to note is that De Ligt is a right footed center back who prefers to play on the right making him the ideal candidate to partner with Martinez who primary plays as the left sided center back.
Mazraoui’s addition to the squad offers a potential upgrade over Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Moroccan full-back’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively fits well with Ten Hag’s tactical approach and the general expectations from a modern full back to contribute heavily to the attacking phase which Wan-Bissaka has struggled with in his United career so far.
Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 formation with de Ligt and Mazraoui
The 4-2-3-1 formation Ten Hag favors relies heavily on the ability to play out of the back and the ability of both the fullback to provide the width as both of United’s expected starting wingers, Rashford and Garnacho look to cut in and get closer to the box. These two areas are which United are attempting to address with this dual bid for de Ligt and Mazraoui.
The expected starting lineup sees Mazraoui and Shaw as full-backs, with the central defensive pairing potentially comprising Lisandro Martinez and De Ligt. Martinez’s tenacity and leadership complement De Ligt’s composure and ball-playing skills, offering a balanced and formidable partnership at the back.
Midfield will be a critical area for Ten Hag to address, especially with the potential departure of Casemiro, although now it seems less and less likely that the Brazilian will leave United this summer. If United fails to secure a new defensive midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo could be thrust into the anchor role. The youngster’s performance for England in the Euros showcased his tactical intelligence and passing range, making him a viable, albeit risky, option. Mainoo’s role would require careful balancing of his attacking instincts with the defensive demands of the Premier League.
In attack, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho are likely to spearhead United’s offensive play. Rashford’s pace and finishing, Hojlund’s physical presence, and Garnacho’s flair offer a potent combination. The arrival of Joshua Zirkzee, along with the return of Jadon Sancho and the promising pre-season form of Amad Diallo, provides Ten Hag with flexibility and depth in his attacking options.
