Manchester United has made a significant move in the transfer market by acquiring two highly-rated defenders from Bayern Munich: Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. The signings are part of a major overhaul of United’s defense, which has been a source of concern in recent seasons.
De Ligt, a 25-year-old center back from the Netherlands, has signed a five-year deal with the option to extend for another year. He is known for his exceptional defensive abilities, including his physical presence, aerial prowess, and ability to read the game. De Ligt’s arrival is expected to bolster United’s backline and provide much-needed stability.
Mazraoui, a 26-year-old full back from Morocco, has signed a contract until June 2028, also with the option to extend for a further year. He is a versatile defender who can play on either the right or left side. Mazraoui is known for his attacking prowess, including his ability to create chances and deliver crosses. His addition to the squad will provide United with more options in the full-back positions.
The transfer fees for De Ligt and Mazraoui were not officially disclosed, but British media outlets have reported that United paid a combined fee of 60 million pounds ($77 million) for the duo.
To make way for the new arrivals, United has sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham for a reported fee of 15 million pounds ($19 million). Wan-Bissaka, a right-back, had been with United for five years and was known for his exceptional one-on-one defending. His departure opens up a spot for Mazraoui in the starting lineup.
The signings of De Ligt and Mazraoui, along with the acquisition of 18-year-old center back Leny Yoro from Lille, represent a significant investment in United’s defense. The club is hoping that these new additions will provide the stability and quality needed to challenge for major trophies in the coming seasons.
