Man Utd identify Matthijs de Ligt alternative after a significant blow as Erik ten Hag switches to Plan B
As Erik ten Hag prepares to miss out on Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United has discovered an alternative target.
Ten Hag is looking to bolster his defensive options after United conceded the most goals in the Premier League’s top eight.
The Dutchman is especially keen on bringing in a new centre-back after Harry Maguire struggled this season, with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones also poised to leave Old Trafford.
His prime goal was thought to be De Ligt, with whom he had a successful working relationship at Ajax. Since joining Juventus for £64 million in 2019, the Netherlands international has had a mixed record.
United emerged as a potential suitor with two years remaining on his deal at the Allianz Stadium. However, they have suffered a significant setback in their efforts to recruit the 22-year-old.
Juventus have ‘no intention’ of letting De Ligt go this summer, according to Tuttomercato. This season’s great campaign under Massimiliano Allegri has ‘dispelled’ any doubts about his future.
So much so that the Serie A giants are reportedly ready to grant him a new deal. De Ligt is now claimed to be ‘considering’ the offer, with Juventus desperate to secure his long-term future.
Ten Hag is now considering alternate options after being dealt a significant blow to his transfer hopes. One of the players they are ‘following,’ according to transfer insider Fabrice Hawkins, is Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Evan Ndicka.
Ndicka is said to be’very courted’ after helping Frankfurt win the Europa League this season. He has 44 appearances in all competitions and began the Eagles’ Europa League final victory over Rangers on Wednesday.
This secured their position in the Champions League for the following season, with Ndicka not ‘ruling out’ playing in that competition for the Bundesliga club. However, there have been reports that Frankfurt may try to cash in on the Frenchman this summer.
He will enter the final year of his contract this summer, and with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur circling, the forthcoming window is ideal for Frankfurt to sell. That will be good news for Ten Hag, who cannot afford to lose another of his top objectives.
United are said to have dispatched scouts to watch Ndicka’s performance in the Europa League final against Rangers.
They might not have been impressed with his performance, given that former AC Milan great Mark Hateley identified him as a weak area for Frankfurt.
“The possession hasn’t ended up in much, but at least you’re not chasing the ball in this heat. You’re in control, moving it from side to side. I think if Rangers get the ball in and around Ndicka’s feet, he’s all over the place. He doesn’t want the ball,” Hateley said in commentary for BBC Sport.
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Man Utd identify Matthijs de Ligt alternative after a significant blow as Erik ten Hag switches to Plan B
