Manchester United have confirmed a £60m double signing of Bayern Munich defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
The pair will join as the club’s third and fourth signings of the summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag’s side having already spent an estimated £149m on new players after previously signing Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.
De Ligt will wear the number 4 shirt, previously worn by the likes of Steve Bruce, David May and Phil Jones. Mazraoui has opted to wear the number 3 shirt, previously worn by the likes of Denis Irwin, Phil Neville and Patrice Evra.
Both deals are subject to the completion of each player’s registration. De Ligt, 25, arrives on a £38.5m (€45m) contract with a potential further £4.27m (€5m) in add-ons. The Dutch centre-back has also signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2029, with an option to extend for a further year.
Right-back Mazraoui, 26, will join the club for a fee of £12.8m (€15m) plus £4.27m (€5m) in add-ons. He has agreed a deal that will keep him at the club until June 2028 and also has an option to extend his contract for a further year.
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Matthijs de Ligt (second from left) and Noussair Mazraoui (second from right)
De Ligt, 25, arrives on a £38.5m (€45m) deal with a potential further £4.27m (€5m) in add-ons.
Mazraoui, 26, will join the club for a fee of £12.8m (€15m) plus a potential payment of £4.27m (€5m) in add-ons.
United had stepped up their search for a new centre-back and a pair of full-backs on either side of defence at the start of the transfer window, having struggled with a series of injuries to key defenders last season.
De Ligt and Mazraoui are now set to reunite with their former coach Ten Hag, having both spent time working with the Dutch manager at Ajax.
The couple had flown in from Munich on Monday morning to undergo a medical and were also pictured enjoying a meal at the exclusive Sexy Fish restaurant on Deansgate last night.
De Ligt, who will wear the number 4 shirt, said of the move: “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I was excited by the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club.
‘In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leaders laid out and the role they saw for me in it.’
“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, he knows how to get the best out of me and I can’t wait to work with him again,” added the Dutch international.
“I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level and I am determined to continue that record at this special club.”
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth added: ‘Matthijs is an exceptional defender and proven winner who will bring quality, experience and leadership to our current group of senior players.
‘He has already enjoyed considerable success in his career and we are convinced that his best years are still ahead of him; we want to help him achieve them at Manchester United.’
De Ligt and Mazraoui are both graduates of Ajax’s illustrious academy. De Ligt left the club in 2019 to join Juventus. He would go on to win the Serie A title in 2020, before moving to Bayern in 2022, where he would go on to win the Bundesliga title in 2023.
De Ligt (centre) and Mazraoui are now set to reunite with their former coach Erik Ten Hag (left), having both spent time working with the Dutch boss at Ajax.
Mazraoui, meanwhile, played a pivotal role in Morocco’s 2022 World Cup campaign, helping the Atlas Lions reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
De Ligt said: ‘Erik ten Hag marked the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me’
Ajax took to X (formerly Twitter) to humorously write “Manchester is red” with De Ligt, Mazraoui and Ten Hag having all worked for the Dutch side.
Mazraoui, meanwhile, played a pivotal role in Morocco’s 2022 World Cup campaign, helping the Atlas Lions reach the semi-finals of the tournament. The full-back, who can play on both sides of defence, joined Bayern from Ajax in 2022, having won three Eredivisie titles with the Dutch side.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player and I can’t wait to walk out to Old Trafford in the red shirt,” said the Moroccan international about his signing.
‘I know 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 sense the determination to achieve that.
‘Erik ten Hag played a major role in my development as a player, so it’s exciting to be reunited 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 succeed.”
Ashworth added: “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on either the right or left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.
“Having won several trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to achieve the success that Manchester United requires.”
Prior to the announcement, De Ligt had also taken to social media to bid farewell to Bayern Munich and the club’s fans.
De Ligt, meanwhile, thanked Bayern Munich fans on Instagram, writing that leaving was a “bittersweet” feeling.
The Dutch centre-back joined Bayern Munich in July 2022 and took to Instagram to say it was a “bittersweet” feeling to leave the club.
“Dear Bayern fans,” wrote De Ligt.
‘I want to thank each and every one of you for all your love and support. I have had two incredible years playing for this beautiful club. It has been a real honour to have played for a club like Bayern Munich. We have achieved unforgettable moments together. Winning the title, as well as several incredible nights in the Champions League. These memories will stay with me forever.
‘That’s why leaving this club is bittersweet. I will always remember the love and support I have received from the players, staff and fans. The recent petition signed by so many of you has touched me deeply.
“Thank you all for these two incredible years. I wish FC Bayern the best of luck and hope they win many more titles, as Bayern have always done. Mia San Mia.”
The news also comes as the club confirmed tonight that Luke Shaw, who was sidelined for most of last season with a soft tissue injury, will miss the opening weeks of Untied’s season with a calf injury.
United could make further moves in the summer transfer window as Ten Hag targets a new central midfielder.
His arrival comes after United confirmed on Tuesday night that Luke Shaw (left) has been ruled out of the opening games of the new season.
United remain interested in signing some new players before the summer transfer window closes and are moving for PSG’s Manuel Ugarte
It seems Red Devils bosses could revive their interest in Manuel Ugarte.
United were unwilling to pay PSG’s £52m asking price for the Argentine, and that remains an obstacle. The club are also interested in Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and have made overtures for the Frenchman.
