Graeme Souness gives his brutal assessment of ‘LIGHTWEIGHT’ defender Matthijs de Ligt – as Bayern star prepares for £43m reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
Graeme Souness has delivered a damning verdict on Manchester United’s new centre-back Matthijs de Ligt as he prepares to sign for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The former Ajax captain previously worked with his future manager at the Dutch club before leaving for Juventus in 2019. Ten Hag has long wanted to work with the defender.
De Ligt was photographed at Munich airport on Monday with fellow signing – and former Ajax player – Noussair Mazraoui, as Man United signed both stars from Bayern Munich as part of Ten Hag’s defensive overhaul.
The 25-year-old is expected to sign a contract worth £43million, with the Red Devils paying an upfront fee of almost £38million and a further £5million in add-ons.
However, Souness was critical of Ten Hag’s interest in the player when news of his arrival in Manchester broke, with a scathing critique of De Ligt’s defensive qualities.
Graeme Souness is decidedly unimpressed with Man United’s incoming defender Matthijs de Ligt
The Bayern Munich star was photographed at the airport in Germany on Monday in preparation for the move
The pundit (right) was adamant that the Dutchman is far from the answer to United’s problems
‘I have my doubts about De Ligt,’ Souness shared on talkSPORT. ‘He didn’t play for the national team at the Euros, he was a squad member.
‘He’s been at two huge football clubs, they normally don’t like to sell players. That tells a story in itself.’
Referring to his explosive early years at Ajax, which culminated in an impressive Champions League season in 2018-19, Souness admitted that “he was a star when he was a boy” but also asked: “Has he progressed since then?”
“I’m not sure he’s what Man United need at the moment,” the former Liverpool player added.
‘Jonny Evans played 23 times for Man United, they desperately need a centre-back.
Among other aspects of his game and career, Souness highlighted De Ligt’s lackluster performances for the Dutch national team
Erik ten Hag (left) previously worked with the player during his time at Ajax (pictured in 2018)
The Dutch manager was at the helm during his compatriot’s brilliant 2018-19 season in Europe
‘I look at De Ligt, he is a lightweight central defender. What you expect from a central defender is first and foremost defending.’
Man United are desperate to improve their defensive performance for the 2023-24 season. The injury-plagued side have been unable to field a consistent central defensive formation.
However, Souness was adamant that the club’s prayers were unlikely to be answered by Ten Hag’s compatriot.
“It seems like some coaches and managers think it’s all about playing from the back,” he continued.
“Keep the ball out of the net. Same goes for the goalkeeper. Is he better than the Spanish guy (David de Gea) they let walk out the door?
Also pictured at Munich airport was Bayern star Noussair Mazraoui (center)
The duo are expected to arrive in Manchester in a double deal agreed between the top clubs
‘He wasn’t good with his feet but he kept the ball out of the net better than (Andre) Onana.’
De Ligt had a hard time adapting to Juventus and left the Turin club for Germany in 2022.
During his time in Munich, De Ligt regained some of his old form, but in the first half of the 2023-24 season he struggled with a persistent knee injury.
The Dutch international signs a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option to extend the contract for a further twelve months.
Bayern also accepted a £17m bid from United for defender Mazraoui, an offer worth an initial £13m plus £4m in bonuses.
After last season’s injury crisis, Man United were forced to rely on a revolving door of centre-backs (Jonny Evans pictured centre)
Role assured at Old Trafford after tense post-season, Ten Hag wants to strengthen the ranks
United fans will be hoping De Ligt can regain his old form and – crucially – stay injury-free
The duo share the same agent, with Rafaela Pimenta representing them since the death of Mino Raiola in 2022.
De Ligt and Mazraoui, along with Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, are set to join the club this summer, taking United’s budget to over £150m.
However, United fans will be without the former player in action for some time to come after the former Ligue 1 defender broke his foot during Man United’s pre-season training in the United States.
Yoro is expected to be out for three months.