“Tense relationship” – Man Utd target in manager dispute as INEOS make shortlist

Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt could become available in the summer window due to his ‘tense relationship’ with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.

De Ligt, 24, has emerged as a potential option for United as they look to strengthen their backline at the end of this season.

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Sky Sports Germany have reported that Erik ten Hag is ‘very interested’ in signing the former Ajax defender, and if the Dutch manager remains at Old Trafford, it is likely that De Ligt will become a top target for the club.

Meanwhile, Sports Bild have stated that the ‘tense relationship’ between the defender and Thomas Tuchel can open up the possibility of a summer move away from Bayern Munich.

De Ligt worked with Ten Hag in the Netherlands and would become another former player of the manager to join him at Old Trafford if a move was to be made.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS team are looking at adding a defender to the squad in the summer transfer window, alongside three other key signings, after major injury troubles in the backline this term.

Negotiations for De Ligt could prove difficult since the defender still has three-and-a-half years left on his current deal in Germany, and the Bavarians would likely be hoping for a fee closer to the £68 million they paid for him in July 2022.

Jarrod Branthwaite of Everton is another name linked to a United move in the summer, with financial issues at Goodison Park providing an opportunity.

Those two are joined by Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, Fikayo Tomori, and Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio as options for The Reds in their search for a centre-back in the summer window