Matthijs de Ligt named favourite Man United player in shirt admission, transfer update provided

Matthijs de Ligt has already named his favourite Manchester United player as a potential transfer for the Bayern Munich defender heats up.

De Ligt, 24, has fallen out of favour at Bayern Munich and looks likely to depart the Bundesliga giants this summer.

United are in need of defensive reinforcements this summer, especially after Raphaël Varane’s departure was confirmed. They are looking to sign two centre-backs.

Recent reports have claimed that United have a growing interest in the defender and that Erik ten Hag would be keen to reunite with the former Ajax captain.

De Ligt has been linked to an Old Trafford move ever since he departed Amsterdam in 2019, and reports have explained that long-standing admiration remains for the defender within the club.

The 24-year-old has already explained that his childhood hero was Cristiano Ronaldo, and he explained that he had a United shirt with the Portuguese legend’s name on the back.

Speaking to Dutch outlet vi.nl in 2019, he said: “Recently, when I had dinner with my childhood friends, who I used to play with, we came to the conclusion that I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo when we played soccer in the garden.

“Especially during the period when he played at Manchester United. Even my first football shirt was his.”

United will likely be unwilling to match what Bayer Munich paid for the defender two years ago, as a £65 million price tag is similar to the demands of Everton for Jarrad Brwanthwaite.

However, The Times have clarified that the German side are open to selling De Ligt for significantly less than that price tag, which makes a potential deal more viable for United.

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