Matthijs De Ligt is set to leave Bayern Munich (Image: Getty)
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has fired a warning to his former club over their pursuit of Matthijs De Ligt. United remain in the driving seat to sign the centre-back from Bayern Munich following Euro 2024, with the defender seemingly surplus to requirements under new boss Vincent Kompany.
Erik ten Hag has previously worked with the player at Ajax, with the then teenager playing a pivotal role in the club’s run to the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals.
That campaign also saw him win the 2018 Golden Boy award, annually handed to the most impressive young player in European football.
And having been linked with a host if big name clubs, later that summer he moved to Juventus for an initial £64million fee. He duly helped the club to a Serie A title and two Copa Italia trophies.
However, De Ligt never hit the heights expected of him Italy, and in the summer of 2022 headed to Bayern in a £56m deal. He’s since failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI at the Bundesliga club, and is also yet to play a single minute of Euro 2024.
Instead, national boss Ronaldo Koeman has favoured the partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij, a pairing he’s almost certain to continue with for Wednesday’s semi-final clash with England. And speaking on behalf of Free Bets, Meulensteen told Express Sport the player had not developed into the talismanic figure for club and country that many had envisaged.
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Rene Meulensteen has question why De Ligt hasn't impressed at Bayern Munich. (Image: Getty)
“A lot of people in Holland question why he hasn’t developed like we thought he would,” he said. “Coming through the ranks at Ajax he was the outstanding centre back and the first name on the team sheet.”
And Meulensteen, who spent a four month stint in charge of Fulham back in the 2013/14 season, seemingly warned United that De Ligt’s failure to push on had been strange, adding: “It is questionable why he hasn’t really hit the heights at Bayern Munich, because he’s not always played regularly there either.”
However the Dutchman also back his compatriot to reignite his career in England. And he thinks his previous relationship with Ten Hag will prove a major factor if United, as expected, push for a deal later this month.
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“Obviously Ten Hag trusts the knowledge he has from working with him,” said Meulensteen. “He is a competitor, he’s strong, I don’t think it’s a risk for Man United. He will suit the Premier League.”
The 24-year-old will undoubtedly bring a winning mentality to United, with the club still searching for a first top flight title since the 2012/13 season. In that time the defender has lifted league silverware in Holland, Italy, and Germany.
