Matthijs De Ligt Might Become a Massive Piece in Erik ten Hag's Puzzle

The Dutch defender's ceiling is as high as anyone's at Carrington, and he will look to benefit from a consistency he's yet to have experienced in his professional career.

From just about the exact moment that I published my last post praising Manchester United’s inspiring start to the summer transfer window, it appears everyone at the club went on their holidays in an attempt to make me look silly. Talks stalled with a number of targets and rumours of any big-name sales came to an equivalent halt. Progress, in general, just stopped.

Thankfully, as the season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford creeps ever so close, it looks like Sir Jim and co have returned from Monaco (or wherever else they fancied some sunshine) and decided to get going again.

Arrivals of Bayern Munich duo Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs De Ligt, coupled with the departure of right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka for West Ham United has set the tone for Manchester United’s most important week since the FA Cup Final in May.

And while the perpetually injured full-back department will likely lead to an important role for Mazraoui, who replaces Wan-Bissaka as a player more suited to Erik ten Hag’s desired playstyle, the focal point of this double deal with the German giants is the 25-year-old De Ligt; a player with every chance of slotting right into the first eleven when the Premier League kicks off this weekend.

De Ligt - a strong, aggressive, smart defender comfortable in possession - might just be the defensive partner that leads Manchester United forward alongside Lisandro Martinez, a fellow ten Hag/Ajax alumni who has blossomed into the best signing of the Dutch boss’ time in Manchester. And that’s a seriously exciting proposition.

His resume of clubs is monumental. He became Ajax’s youngest captain while still just a teenager (under ten Hag, notedly) and took them to the doorstep of the Champions League final. He moved to Juventus for over 85 million euros. He moved again to Bayern Munich for another 77 million euros. He’s used to playing at the pinnacle of European footballing royalty, winning league titles at every step of his journey. And now, Matthijs De Ligt joins England’s biggest club; entering a pivotal season with a manager under whom he has already thrived.

The previously mentioned Martinez and newly signed Leny Yoro (who suffered an injury keeping him out until November shortly after my last article. Perhaps I should stop writing about my club and bring this luck elsewhere. Article on Pep Guardiola coming soon) look like the centre backs of the future and are now joined by De Ligt who provides the flexibility to play on either side of the defence, which fuses well with the pair of more one-sided Argentinian and French defenders.

The intangibles appear to be there with the Dutchman, which Lisandro Martinez possesses in abundance and has helped him win the hearts of United fans since his arrival.

Most excitingly for some, the De Ligt fee is just under 43 million pounds. Another sensible, smart, reasonably priced signing by the new leadership group at the club.

But perhaps the man happiest with this deal should be Erik ten Hag. Last year, the defence was the team’s downfall. 14 different centre-back pairings, six different players used at left-back, and a shaky start for Andre Onana nearly ended up getting the boss the sack. He had no chance of building anything in what was a severe dip from the previous season that ended in David de Gea winning the Golden Glove.

Meanwhile, in every season of his professional career, De Ligt has started the season with a different manager than he started the year previous. Yes, you read that right. Nine consecutive seasons. Insane. But more critically, less than ideal for a young player looking to reach his high potential.

So, ideally, both De Ligt and ten Hag will benefit from the promise of some consistency. And that promise can be fulfilled at least in part by one another.

United’s summer business is likely still incomplete. Nevertheless, both for the immediate and the longer term, the Matthijs De Ligt acquisition is one of great excitement and tantalizing possibility.