After weeks of waiting, Man Utd fans finally have something to rejoice about in the transfer market. After signing Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro quite early on in the transfer window, there have been a lot of sparks in the transfer market with none actually resulting in a fire.
Nevertheless, everything changed yesterday after it was revealed that Manchester United had struck a deal with Bayern Munich to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for £60 million each, adding a new dimension to the defense.
Man Utd have spent €272.4m to bring five of Erik ten Hag’s former Ajax players to Old Trafford in the past two years. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are two of the players set to join the club in the coming days.
The defense was concerning Erik ten Hag. Although it still is heading into the new season because of the players’ inclination for injuries, Manchester United has made two smart additions. Why, therefore, did Erik ten Hag choose to include both players in his starting lineup?
Andre Onana will remain the unchallenged first choice in the goal. The Cameroonian will be looking to improve on his previous season’s performances. In front of him could be a back-four containing Noussair Mazraoui at right-back, Matthijs de Ligt at right centre-back, Lisandro Martinez at left centre-back and Luke Shaw at left-back.
Diogo Dalot has been one of Man Utd’s best players in the past 18 months and Mazraoui will have to alternate with the Portuguese international for a starting role. That said, De Ligt is likely to walk into the XI, especially in the absence of yet another signing Leny Yoro for three months.
Coming to the midfield, Casemiro has shown enough in pre-season for Man Utd to persist with him in defensive midfield. The club haven’t signed any player to replace him either, making him a direct shoo-in. Partnering him at the base of midfield would be English prodigy Kobbie Mainoo.
In front of the duo, Bruno Fernandes is certain to play as the #10, with Mason Mount available to provide backup. Marcus Rashford is expected to start from the left (if and when fit) and Alejandro Garnacho deserves to start from the right.
The striker position is likely to go to Joshua Zirkzee, Man Utd’s other new signing with Rasmus Hojlund ruled out for the start of the season. If the Dutch number nine can impress, he could make the starting berth his own at Old Trafford.
The addition of De Ligt and Mazraoui has given Erik ten Hag’s team a look of stability. Mazraoui is versatile and can play at left-back if needed. Meanwhile, the former is calm in defence and offers a more assured presence than the likes of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. Thus, Man Utd are better off with these two signings.
