Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has backed teenage wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt to be a success at Old Trafford, if he leaves Ajax for Old Trafford.
In an interview with Press Association Sport, as quoted by The Sun, Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has had his say on the club’s interest in Matthijs de Ligt. The former defender is of the opinion that Ajax’s teenage wonderkid would “suit the club very well”.
The only way has been up for Matthijs de Ligt ever since he broke into the first-team setup at Ajax at the nascent age of 16. Three years on, and still very much in his teens, the Dutch wonderkid is already the Ajax captain while also being a pivotal player for his national side.
The 19-year-old is coming off a memorable campaign that saw Ajax complete the domestic double while also embark on a giant killing spree in the UEFA Champions League that ended with a semi-finals finish. And unsurprisingly, the player is now a hot property in the transfer market, with Manchester United among his suitors.
The fallen giants of the Premier League are in dire straits at the present moment after a campaign that saw them go trophyless while finishing sixth in the Premier League. And, having missed out on Champions League qualification, Manchester United are set for another rebuilding process.
Defence is believed to be a priority for Manchester United, and rightly so, after conceding a staggering 54 goals in the Premier League this past season, the most they have in the Premier League era.
With Victor Lindelof being the only player who has shown any semblance of consistency at the heart of the defence, pursuing a player like de Ligt makes sense. And, Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has given his seal of approval for the teenage wonderkid.
“I think he would suit very well over here if they’re trying to pick him up. I am not sure if that’s the truth, of course, because a lot of things have been said and have been written as well. But he is a player that absolutely fits in here, but it is up to him as well. He’s the type of player that a manager, I think, wants to work with.”
Signing de Ligt ought to boost Manchester United’s defence manifold, with the 19-year-old also bringing some much needed leadership qualities with him. Based on quality alone, he would be an upgrade on every defender on the books at Old Trafford.
Manchester United will certainly not have it easy in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt, who also remains a key target for Barcelona. But, in the wake of Stam’s glowing comments, it now remains to be seen whether they can push forward to secure the services of one of the best young players in the world.
