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1 month ago
14 New Manchester United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is looking forward to make his debut and admits he waited all summer for the move to materialise.
The Netherlands international completed his switch from Bayern Munich to United on Tuesday, and he could make his first appearance for the club on Friday night when the Reds kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season.
De Ligt signs for United having played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old arrives with a wealth of experience but he will aim to get back to his very best in the heart of Erik ten Hag’s defence.
When asked about what persuaded him to join United, De Ligt revealed it was the new lease of life he senses within the club – just months after Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a stake in the club and INEOS took control of football operations.
“I actually really like the project,” De Ligt told club media as per ManUtd.com. “It’s always nice to go somewhere and to feel that you’re part of a new project, to feel that you’re part of something new.
“Hopefully me, but also the other players that are coming now this summer, can give a great piece to the next history of Manchester United and to get the club back where it belongs: on top.
“Besides that, it’s an amazing club, one of the biggest clubs in the world, with an amazing history, a lot of amazing players, amazing defenders…
“I’m really excited. I actually waited a long time! The whole vacation I was waiting for the message, that it was a done deal, and now finally it is. So I can’t wait to start.”
De Ligt also spoke about United’s history in his first interview, referencing icons like Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.
“There’s a lot of history in this club. I grew up with the team of Cristiano Ronaldo, Vidic, Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes… Edwin van der Sar, the Dutchman. There’s so much history in this club.
“I’m speaking about 20 years ago but, like, even more [further back] when they won the Champions League [in 1999], the Treble… it’s such a big historic club. You can feel this already, it’s in the air here… you can breathe the history.
“It’s an amazing challenge to have now this possibility in England, for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in the biggest competition in the world. I’m driven by these new challenges; I like to get challenged.
“To get this opportunity and to play for this club at this level, to help win them trophies, it’s amazing.
“Hopefully I can have a part in the next history of Manchester United.”
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