Erik Ten Hag has brought his former Ajax stars Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Man United from Bayern Munich.
Netherlands international defender de Ligt arrives on a five-year deal which could be worth £40m while Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui has agreed a four-year contract with an option for another, for a fee which could rise to more than £15m.
Welkom, Matthijs! 🤝
We are delighted to announce the signing of @MdeLigt_04 from Bayern Munich ✍️ #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2024
Though his arrival was dependent on right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move to West Ham, with United set to host Fulham in their Premier League opener on Friday night, versatile Mazraoui could start at left-back with Luke Shaw sidelined by a calf injury.
De Ligt, 25, captained Ten Hag’s Ajax team to the 2019 Champions League semi-finals, where they suffered an agonising stoppage-time defeat.
He and Mazraoui will also be reunited with former Ajax keeper Andre Onana, defender Lisandro Martinez and winger Anthony.
Noussair Mazraoui has joined Manchester United on a contract until June 2028.✍️
Erik ten Hag has added two more of his former players to his side. 🤝#BBCFootball #MUFC pic.twitter.com/StlUubOsIT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 13, 2024
de Ligt told the club website: “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such an historic club.
“In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out, and the role they saw for me in it.
“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again.
“I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt has 45 caps for his country and has already won the league with Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Noussair is a Red! 🔴
Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui has completed a move from Bayern Munich to United 🙌#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2024
Dutch-born Mazraoui helped Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The 26-year-old told the United website: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt.
“I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”
“Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player, so it is exciting to be reuniting with him as I enter the prime years of my career. I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful.”
