“Be careful…” Erik ten Hag sent Manchester United warning after “really good” transfer

Erik ten Hag has been warned about signing too many of his former Ajax players after Manchester United secured the signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

Matthijs de Ligt has completed a £38 million transfer from Bayern Munich to Manchester United, signing a five-year deal with the club.

The Dutch centre-back reunites with Erik ten Hag, his former mentor at Ajax, where De Ligt came through the academy to establish himself as a standout player.

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De Ligt’s addition comes at a crucial time for United, who are looking to strengthen their defense. He will be competing for a place in the starting lineup alongside Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and potentially Victor Lindelöf, whose future with the club is still uncertain.

United also secured the services of Noussair Mazraoui on a four-year contract. Mazraoui played under Ten Hag at Ajax, and Teddy Sheringham has warned Ten Hag about signing too many of his former players.

Sheringham did, however, also praise the capture of De Ligt, explaining that he is a “good signing” who will bring much-needed leadership qualities to the club.

“There’s no doubt that managers like to work with certain players that they know and have experienced success with in the past,” Sheringham told onlinepoker.ltd. “It’s like in any walk of life, if someone does a good job for you, you hire them again.

“I think Erik ten Hag has to be careful by bringing in so many former Ajax players or players that he knows from Holland because Manchester United don’t play in the Eredivisie, and the Premier League is a much more challenging environment with a higher playing standard.

“The players that are joining need to be able to make the step up. Of the signings that played under him previously, the only one that you could say has been a success is Lisandro Martínez. The jury is out on the goalkeeper Andre Onana, and Antony needs to do a lot more.

“I like the signing of Matthijs de Ligt. Erik ten Hag made him the youngest ever captain of Ajax and he has played for some big clubs in Juventus and Bayern since he left Amsterdam.

“He brings leadership qualities, and he’s got that ability to bring the ball out of defence and pick a pass. He’s calm. I think he’s a really good signing.”

De Ligt and Mazraoui are both expected to be available for Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

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