August 14th 2024.
On Tuesday, Manchester United made a big announcement regarding their latest signing, Matthijs de Ligt. The former Bayern Munich defender was officially welcomed to the team, and his arrival has been met with a lot of excitement and anticipation. The club's former player, Rio Ferdinand, even went as far as to say that De Ligt is a better value for money compared to the other defender they were pursuing this summer, Jarrad Branthwaite.
Despite having initially set their sights on Branthwaite, the Red Devils were unable to secure a deal with Everton for the English center-back. The Toffees were holding out for a hefty fee of £70m, which United were not willing to pay. As a result, the club turned to De Ligt, who they were able to sign for €50m from Ajax. Ferdinand believes that the Dutch defender's experience playing for top clubs in Europe, as well as his international experience, makes him a better investment for the club.
"I think Matthijs de Ligt is better value than Jarrad Branthwaite at this moment in time," Ferdinand shared in a video he posted on social media. "Everton wanted £70m [for Branthwaite], which is a huge sum of money for him. I think the experience De Ligt has got, playing at various top clubs in Europe, Champions League football, international football… I think he's got something to prove."
Ferdinand also added that having players who have a lot to prove can be beneficial for the team. While he doesn't want the team to be filled with such players, having a few who are hungry to prove themselves can bring a positive dynamic to the squad. "He's done a fair bit in his career but he hasn't pinned down being the main man at another club after Ajax just yet," Ferdinand said of De Ligt. "Can he do that here at Manchester United?"
Meanwhile, Branthwaite has been making a name for himself at Everton, impressing with his performances since breaking into the first team. Former United winger Ashley Young, who now plays for Inter Milan, believes that the 19-year-old has what it takes to make the jump to an elite club. "He's ready for the step up," Young said during an interview. "Obviously there's interest from other clubs that are finishing in the top half of the table. Rightly so because I know what kind of player he is, where he can get to. I can see him... taking us further, then with a team that's maybe offering him Champions League football."
With his skill and potential, Branthwaite is definitely a player who can thrive in the Champions League and other big tournaments. It remains to be seen if he will continue to develop with Everton or if he will make a move to a bigger club in the future. Either way, both De Ligt and Branthwaite are highly talented defenders who have a lot to offer on the pitch. Manchester United fans can look forward to seeing them in action and making a positive impact on the team.
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