Erik ten Hag provides latest Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui transfer update

Erik ten Hag is optimistic that the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will address Manchester United’s defensive frailties.

Netherlands centre-back De Ligt is set to join United in a deal worth an initial £38.6 million, following a successful month-long pursuit by Ten Hag.

The Red Devils are also on the verge of signing Moroccan full-back Mazraoui – another former Ajax standout – for £12.9 million.

This comes as United prepares to offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham in a £15 million transfer.

The news of these deals being finalized with Bayern Munich broke just hours before United’s penalty shootout defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday.

In that match, Ten Hag was forced to deploy winger Facundo Pellistri as an emergency right-back during the second half, underscoring the team’s current lack of defensive depth due to multiple injuries.

“It’s clear we have the problems,” Ten Hag admitted post-match via the Mirror.

“We have to work, the players have to work to be available and the staff have to work.

“Together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.”

Asked to comment on De Ligt and Mazraoui’s impending arrivals and Wan-Bissaka’s exit, the Red Devils boss replied: “No, I can’t.

“When we have some news, we will announce it.

“Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available.”

Ten Hag has previously expressed his desire to bring De Ligt to Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old was the captain of the Ajax team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.

“I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that,” he revealed to outlet AD Sportwereld.

“I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process [at United].”

Mazraoui may be less of a high-profile signing, but his versatility as both a right-back and left-back should ensure he gets plenty of appearances this season.

The 26-year-old lauded Ten Hag highly before they both left Ajax in the summer of 2022.

“It was great to work with Erik ten Hag,” Mazraoui told Voetbal Primeur.

“He helped me in the beginning mainly on a tactical level, but then also with all kinds of other things, such as my lifestyle and my attacking development.

“[He is] a top coach, who has been very important to me and with whom we have achieved great successes.”

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