Manchester United are set to disregard the advice of former scout Marcel Bout and sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. The saga surrounding De Ligt has dominated the summer transfer window, with the player initially expected to reunite with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
However, United shifted their focus to the £58million acquisition of 18-year-old Leny Yoro. Following an injury to the young French centre-back during a pre-season match against Arsenal, De Ligt's move to Old Trafford now seems inevitable.
This decision marks a reversal from the club's stance in 2018 when Bout advised against signing De Ligt due to concerns about his weight. Former United manager Jose Mourinho had identified De Ligt as his top defensive target in 2018, prior to the Dutchman's impressive Champions League performances.
Despite exploring a deal for the Ajax player, Bout was reluctant to endorse the move, citing concerns that De Ligt would struggle with weight issues like his father. Instead, United broke the bank to sign Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire for a record £80m, while De Ligt joined Italian heavyweights Juventus for £67.8m.
Bout remained at Manchester United until 2022.
Erik ten Hag has previously lauded Matthijs de Ligt as "one of the best defenders in Europe" admitting back in 2019 that the then 19-year-old had not yet reached his full potential. The Dutch manager suggested De Ligt had only "shown 60 to 80 per cent of his potential."
The duo are set for a reunion at Old Trafford, with reports indicating that De Ligt is on the verge of a £42m transfer from Bayern Munich, who splashed out £57.5m for him just two years prior.
Adding to the defensive reinforcements, Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui, aged 26 and another of Ten Hag's former Ajax charges, appears certain to complete a move from Bayern to Manchester for a fee around £17.1m.
While Ten Hag has played it close to the vest regarding additional signings at Carrington, he revealed before the anticipated acquisition of the Bayern duo that United's new minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is keen to get deals done this summer.
"It is always difficult to say," Ten Hag commented on the prospect of further transfers. "We hope. We are always looking. This new leadership team is really eager to do business and to make deals. They are on it. But we have to wait if the timing is there and if the opportunities are there."
