Potential Harry Maguire replacement identified with Man Utd ‘monitoring’ former Erik ten Hag favourite

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

The 24-year-old is a player Erik ten Hag knows well from his time at Ajax and De Ligt played in 11 of the 12 Champions League games in the 2018/19 season as Ten Hag’s side surprisingly made it to the semi-finals of the competition.

At just 19, the centre-back was selected as captain by the now United manager, during a time when he was viewed as one of the most promising young defenders in world football. However, subsequent moves to Juventus and Bayern Munich haven’t seen De Ligt hit the heights so many expected, and he failed to hold down a regular spot in the Bayern side during the 2023/24 campaign.

Injuries were also a factor, while centre-backs Hiroki Ito and Jonathan Tah are reportedly close to joining Bayern. As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, that means De Ligt will be allowed to move on this summer.

“Understand Manchester United is closely monitoring the situation of Matthijs de Ligt,” the German journalist wrote on X, while adding that ‘Erik ten Hag is still a big fan’.

Meanwhile, the Dutch international refused to be drawn on speculation ahead of the Netherlands’ start to Euro 2024. “I've already said this is not the time for me to think about it,” De Ligt said at a press conference this week. 

“I can't say now what I think about this situation. But what I can say is that I've now played my second season at Bayern - I'm very happy. For now I'm focused on the Euros and then we'll see what happens.”

United are in the market for at least one new centre-back this summer following the departure of Raphael Varane. Jonny Evans could still walk away with his contract set to expire, while Ten Hag is willing to let Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof leave if suitable offers are received. That leaves just Lisandro Martinez and youngster Willy Kambwala.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi and Jean-Clair Todibo are among the club’s transfer targets, but Ten Hag’s prior relationship with De Ligt and the possible need for Bayern to sell could alter the Red Devils’ approach.