by Manchester United have sent an early signal for the season by completing a £60 million double transfer deal for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
United manager Erik ten Hag made it clear to the board that he needed to strengthen his squad after last season was plagued by injuries, and the manager got his wish by expanding his options with De Ligt and Mazraoui.
The double transfer fee, totalling just under £60 million, comes on the day that Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure to West Ham for £15 million was confirmed.
Dutch defender De Ligt is reunited with Ten Hag, under whom he played at Ajax, after signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year.
De Ligt, who has won league titles with Ajax, Juventus and Bayern, said: “When I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I was immediately excited by the chance of a new challenge at such a traditional club.
“In the discussions that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me,” added the 25-year-old. “Erik shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I can’t wait to work with him again. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level and I am determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt will bolster United’s central defence following the departure of Raphaël Varane, with fellow summer signing Leny Yoro set to miss up to three months with a foot injury sustained in pre-season action against Arsenal. The centre-back is set to cost an initial £38.5m, plus up to £4.3m in add-ons.
Full-back Mazraoui also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, winning three league titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern. The Moroccan international has also made 28 appearances for his country and featured in the semi-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup. His reported transfer fee is £12.8 million, plus £4.3 million in potential add-ons.
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Mazraoui, who has signed a four-year contract with an option for a further year, said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a United player and I can’t wait to step into the red shirt at Old Trafford. I know I’m joining the club at an exciting time. Everyone I’ve spoken to shares the same ambition that we’ll win trophies together and I sense the determination to make that happen.”
The new signings are expected to be available for United’s season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday night. One player who will not be there is Luke Shaw. The England full-back has sustained a calf injury which the club say will keep him out of action until the international break next month.
Shaw will miss United’s Premier League home games against Fulham and Liverpool, as well as the trip to Brighton. The 29-year-old is also doubtful for England’s Nations League games next month against the Republic of Ireland and Finland – the first games under new interim coach Lee Carsley.
