Graeme Souness has given a damning verdict on incoming Manchester United centre back Matthijs de Ligt as he prepares to sign for Erik ten Hag‘s side.
The former Ajax captain previously worked with his soon-to-be manager at the Dutch club before his departure for Juventus in 2019, and Ten Hag has been keen to link up with the defender for some time.
De Ligt was pictured at Munich Airport on Monday with fellow signing-in-waiting – and ex-Ajax man – Noussair Mazraoui, with Man United swooping for both Bayern Munich stars as part of Ten Hag’s defensive overhaul.
The 25-year-old is expected to arrival on a deal worth £43million which sees the Red Devils pay close to £38m upfront and a further £5m in add-ons.
But Souness was critical about Ten Hag’s desire for the player as news broke of his arrival in Manchester, offering a brutal assessment of De Ligt’s all-around defensive skills.
Graeme Souness is decidedly unimpressed by incoming Man United defender Matthijs de Ligt
The Bayern Munich star was pictured at the airport in Germany on Monday ahead of the move
The pundit (right) was adamant that the Dutchman is far from the answer to United’s problems
‘I’m doubtful about De Ligt,’ Souness shared on talkSPORT. ‘He didn’t get into the national team during the Euros, he was a squad member.
‘He’s been at two enormous football clubs, they normally don’t like to sell players. That in itself tells a story.’
Referencing his explosive early years with Ajax, culminating in a profile-raising Champions League season in 2018-19, Souness admitted that ‘he was a star when he was a boy’ but argued: ‘Has he progressed since then?’
‘I’m not sure he is what Man United need at this time,’ the former Liverpool player added.
‘Jonny Evans played 23 times for Man United, they desperately need a centre-half.
Among other aspects of his game and career, Souness highlighted De Ligt’s skimpy showing for the Dutch national team
Erik ten Hag (left) previously worked with the player during his spell at Ajax (pictured in 2018)
The Dutch manager was at the helm for his compatriot’s blistering 2018-19 season in Europe
‘I look at De Ligt, he’s a lightweight centre-half. What you want from a centre-half first and foremost is to defend.’
Man United are desperate to improve upon their defensive showing for the 2023-24 season, which saw the injury-struck side unable to settle on a consistent centre back pairing.
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