Manchester United had two most important goals for reinforcing their defence this summer season: To boost 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 risk and a technical ball-winner tipped to grow to be one of many premier centre-backs within the recreation.
{The teenager} struggling a fractured metatarsal within the opening pre-season recreation of the US tour was massively 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 at the least yet another possibility within the coronary heart of defence – which was ravaged by accidents final trip – but additionally lacked steadiness and progressive attributes.
Matthijs de Ligt had been proposed to Erik ten Hag – who needed him in his first summer season at Previous Trafford – by United’s recalibrated recruitment workforce 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 carry to Man Utd?
The composed stopper is considered as a superb foil for the aggressive, instinctive Lisandro Martinez; steadiness on the suitable and left, but additionally in method.
At 25, De Ligt’s scale of expertise in several environments of excessive expectation, pure management and his potential 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 perspective will likely be a lift to United.
Maybe probably 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 carry out the perfect of Antony’s recreation.
There will likely be pure cynicism that this continues United’s coverage of shopping for who the supervisor is accustomed to somewhat than constructing in the direction of a membership identification.
The counter will likely be that, by including progressive gamers that supply a various 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 workforce was in situ.
Targets have been proposed to him primarily based on their suitability to the fashion of play, their availability available on the market 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 season, however there’s nonetheless work to do past the rearguard – particularly in midfield.
