Pundit wants 24-year-old Bundesliga star to link up with former boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
Dutch pundit Valentijn Driessen hopes Manchester United will sign Bundesliga star Matthijs De Ligt this summer to reunite him with Erik ten Hag. The Dutch defender played under the Red Devils boss at Ajax but has not replicated his form since they separated.
On the kick-off podcast, Driessen shared his hope that the pair would be reunited this summer,
"It is to be hoped that (Erik) Ten Hag will bring out the same level of De Ligt as he did at Ajax and the same player he was at Ajax. He has not been anywhere near that since leaving Ajax."
“It remains wild. I didn’t think he was that way at Ajax, I always thought he was very focused. He had much more of an eye for the situation then, without going into it blindly.”
“Now it seems like every time there are situations where he thinks: that one is for me. Then he goes for it one hundred percent, while every now and then you have to assess the situation as a defender: when should I go, when should I not go.”
The 24-year-old played 117 games under Erik ten Hag, scoring 13 and assisting seven.
De Ligt moved on to Juventus and then Bayern Munich playing 117 and 73 times for them respectively. Manchester United will be greatly improved with the addition of the Bundesliga star, but it remains to be seen if a deal materialises.
Manchester United starlet given first-team opportunity under Erik ten Hag keen to shine on the big stage
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has revealed that he's keen to show his abilities on the biggest stage. The 19-year-old was given his big opportunity last season by Erik ten Hag and has proven to be a revelation for club and country.
Speaking with ITV Sport, Mainoo shared his excitement for the big occasions:
“Yes, probably. Do I relish it? Yes, that is what you play football for, the big occasions. You don’t win anything big unless you play in the big occasions. “I feel I want to be a great player and great players are made in those big occasions so I have to do my best whenever they come about."
He concluded:
“Whenever I get a chance to play I try and give it 100 per cent every time, that is what my dad always said to me, my parents always said to grab a chance with both hands. I have to do my best whenever they come about."
The Manchester United starlet, featuring for his country at Euro 2024, where he will hope to lead his nation to international glory for the first time in 58 years.