July 9th 2024.
Football legend Alan Shearer has given his seal of approval for Manchester United's latest transfer deal. Despite not being a regular in the Netherlands team during Euro 2024, Shearer believes that Matthijs de Ligt would be a great addition to the Red Devils' squad.
The Dutch defender has been overlooked by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, who has instead opted for a centre-back partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij. Despite this, United are still keen on bringing the 24-year-old to Old Trafford as they look to strengthen their defensive options under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag.
With the departure of Raphael Varane, United are on the hunt for a new centre-back and De Ligt is their top target. According to reports from the Manchester Evening News, the Bayern Munich star has even agreed to personal terms with the club, showing his eagerness for the move.
Shearer, who is a former England striker, believes that De Ligt would be a "really good player" and a "good signing" for United, despite not featuring in the Euros. He also believes that De Ligt's playing style would suit the Premier League.
However, not everyone agrees with Shearer's assessment. Liverpool legend Phil Thompson thinks that United should be looking closer to home for a new centre-back. They have also shown interest in Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, but their two offers have been unsuccessful so far.
Thompson believes that United need a player who is familiar with the Premier League, as they have struggled in the past with players who need time to adapt. He also believes that Branthwaite is a top-class player and someone United should consider.
As United continue their pursuit of De Ligt, the Netherlands will face England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday night. It will be interesting to see if De Ligt's performance, or lack thereof, will affect United's decision to sign him.
Despite the differing opinions on De Ligt, one thing is for sure - Manchester United are determined to strengthen their squad and are not afraid to target big names. As the transfer window heats up, it will be exciting to see who else United will bring in to improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.
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