‘ I feel good and am fit, I want to play.’: Bundesliga star Matthijs de Ligt speaks on joining Manchester United amid transfer links

Amidst rumors of a move to Manchester United, Bundesliga star Matthijs de Ligt says, “I feel good and am fit, I want to play.”
In response to summer transfer rumors linking Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United, the Bayern Munich star has stated that he is “very happy” in his current role and is “not thinking” about leaving the club.

After three successful years with Juventus—winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana—De Ligt left Turin for Bayern in 2022 for a reported £65 million.

Nevertheless, De Ligt has fallen in the rankings due to a mix of form and fitness issues, and recent rumours from Germany indicated that the central defender might not be needed at the Allianz Arena.

United may step up their pursuit of De Ligt again at the end of the season, after Erik ten Hag failed to bring the Dutchman to Old Trafford after his arrival in 2022. De Ligt had previously managed at Ajax.

United are set to enhance their defensive options during the summer transfer window following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion partial takeover. De Ligt, along with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, has been named as one of their top center-back targets.

United may trade for Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, and Harry Maguire if they can find suitable replacements. Their futures in Manchester are uncertain.

But the Dutch international isn’t even thinking about a summer transfer just yet, so it looks like the Red Devils may have to find someone else to play alongside De Ligt.

I am not currently considering that. De Ligt expressed his happiness with Bayern Munich when asked about his future by reporters.

Obviously, this season hasn’t been easy for me. I was hurt for quite some time.

“But right now I’m in a good place physically, and I want to play.”

Before the second leg of Bayern’s crucial Champions League round of 16 match against Lazio at the Allianz Arena, De Ligt spoke to the media. De Ligt is bound to Bayern until 2027.

After Dayot Upamecano’s dismissal at the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio’s Ciro Immobile converted a penalty in the 69th minute to put the Serie A powerhouses ahead 1-0.

Thomas Tuchel brought on the former Ajax player De Ligt soon after Ciro Immobile scored from the penalty spot, and he started the following two league matches for Bayern, against RB Leipzig and Bochum, before serving a suspension that prevented him from playing in Freiburg.

In January, when United were reportedly trying to sign De Ligt, Andy Cole spoke to Betfred and warned the club against adding another player from Ten Hag’s past.

On being asked if he was worried about the rumors, the former United and England striker said: “Yes it would because if he’s had tough times at both Juventus and Bayern Munich, then how can you suggest that he will be a success at Manchester United?”

The bulk of Erik ten Hag’s signings during his tenure at the club have been players he has previously managed, and Thijs is just one more player who has played for Erik ten Hag.

When it comes to players, the Premier League is a huge ocean apart from anything else.

How many other Premier League managers take a similar stance when it comes to signing new players? This is particularly true at the very highest levels.

This is likely the reason behind the rumors that INEOS is planning to limit his control over transfers. Since Manchester United can now widen their net, I think it’s a good thing that they’re being fair.