Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven would be a better fit for Manchester United than Matthijs de Ligt, former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen has suggested.
Erik ten Hag’s team are in the market for at least one centre-back this summer, with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Leny Yoro heavily linked with Old Trafford.
De Ligt has also been tipped to reunite with Ten Hag in a £42million switch from Bayern Munich, though there are trepidations surrounding the 24-year-old given his struggles since leaving Ajax.
The Dutchman hasn’t lived up to expectations in Munich nor former club Juventus, and as a result he isn’t as well-regarded as his international teammates, with the defender yet to make an appearance at Euro 2024.
‘De Ligt has always been top notch but for whatever reason [Stefan] De Vrij has got the nod ahead of him,’ Meulensteen told Free Bets.
‘De Ligt is a good player, he’s strong. Ten Hag knows him well from working with him at Ajax.
‘He of course had a spell at Juventus and Bayern, but he hasn’t played all the time. But he will be suited for the Premier League, he’s a tall boy, he’s strong and he’s a top competitor.’
While Meulensteen believes De Ligt could do a job at United, he mused that Van de Ven, another player ahead in the Netherlands pecking order, might offer the Red Devils more.
But Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant manager conceded that it would be very hard to sign the 23-year-old just one year after he joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in a deal worth around £34m.
‘They [United] do need another centre half, but it surprises me it’s a right footed one,’ the Dutchman added.
‘I’ve been very impressed with Micky Van de Ven for Tottenham Hotspur, he’s a left footed player and very quick.
‘I’m not saying it wouldn’t cost you a lot of money and dealing with Tottenham is difficult.’
For now, De Ligt and Van de Ven will be looking to get on the pitch and help the Netherlands in any way they can when they play England in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Wednesday night.
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