Manchester United had two important goals for reinforcing their defence this summer time: To reinforce the metal of it – particularly in duels – and to alter the dynamic.
The coup of ousting Actual Madrid to land Leny Yoro added further athleticism, aerial menace and a technical ball-winner tipped to turn into one of many premier centre-backs within the sport.
{The teenager} struggling a fractured metatarsal within the opening pre-season sport of the US tour was vastly unlucky, however United have signed him for the long run, not simply the primary few months of the season.
Even earlier than that setback, the membership meant so as to add not less than yet another choice within the coronary heart of defence – which was ravaged by accidents final day out – but additionally lacked stability and progressive attributes.
Matthijs de Ligt had been proposed to Erik ten Hag – who wished him in his first summer time at Previous Trafford – by United’s recalibrated recruitment group as a goal to boost their bodily and technical ceiling; the person to dominate defensive duels.
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What is going to De Ligt and Mazraoui deliver to Man Utd?
The composed stopper is seen as an excellent foil for the aggressive, instinctive Lisandro Martinez; stability on the best and left, but additionally in strategy.
At 25, De Ligt’s scale of expertise in several environments of excessive expectation, pure management and his means to implement Ten Hag’s fashion of play made him interesting.
There’s a feeling his strengths weren’t maximised at Bayern Munich, who’ve been in flux, and that his profile plus angle might be a lift to United.
Maybe essentially the most instructive transfer to showcase the change of dynamic is switching out Aaron Wan-Bissaka – a one-vs-one defensive specialist – for the highly-technical, two-footed Noussair Mazraoui.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has joined West Ham from Man Utd
Additionally recruited from Bayern, he can cowl each full-back positions, is press-resistant and higher suited to constructing play.
Mazraoui – successfully paid for by Wan-Bissaka’s exit to West Ham – was one of many key cogs of Ten Hag’s profitable Ajax aspect, the place he helped deliver out the perfect of Antony’s sport.
There might be pure cynicism that this continues United’s coverage of shopping for who the supervisor is aware of slightly than constructing in direction of a membership identification.
The counter might be that, by including progressive gamers that supply a diverse dynamic, United are literally recruiting for the sport mannequin they’re dedicated to.
The distinction is that Ten Hag is just not driving recruitment, as was the case earlier than the brand new soccer management group was in situ.
Targets have been proposed to him primarily based on their suitability to the fashion of play, their availability in the marketplace and the chance to truly get a deal over the road – financially and logistically.
Victor Lindelof might nonetheless depart earlier than the window closes and the addition of a left-sided defender stays open.
United have been extra proactive and methodical of their recruitment this summer time, however there may be nonetheless work to do past the rearguard – particularly in midfield.
