Matthijs de Ligt insists he was not in contact with Manchester United prior to his move from Ajax to Juventus. De Ligt enjoyed a remarkab...
Matthijs de Ligt insists he was not in contact with Manchester United prior to his move from Ajax to Juventus.
De Ligt enjoyed a remarkable campaign with Ajax during the 2018-19 season, emerging as one of Europe’s brightest defensive talents as he helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals while still a teenager. The centre-half was one of the most sought-after young players that summer, eventually signing a five-year deal with Juventus for a fee of €75million.
United were strongly linked with a move for the Netherlands international during those months before eventually signing Harry Maguire from Leicester City for a world record fee for a defender.
And in an interview with the Daily Telegraph however, de Ligt revealed there was never any concrete offer from Old Trafford, telling the newspaper: ‘Honestly, I never heard anything from them.’
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United instead signed Harry Maguire that summer (Picture: Getty)
21-year-old de Ligt is now playing alongside some of the most experienced names in European football in Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Cristiano Ronaldo. The centre-half says he is turning to the club icons for inspiration as he continues to develop as a footballer but is out to become a superstar in his own right. ‘I’m where I want to be and where I can learn as much as possible,’ he said.
‘There are experienced guys – [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci – but also a goalkeeper like Buffon and Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘We all have our different characteristics and I do not try and copy them but I look at Ronaldo and see what he does, how he stays fit all the time. ‘I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In the end you find your own rhythm.’
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