Erik ten Hag goes public with Man Utd's interest in Matthijs de Ligt

Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United are interested in signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich but says he doesn't know if a deal will be done.

The Red Devils completed the £52m signing of teenage sensation Leny Yoro on Thursday to reinforce a backline weakened by the departures of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala, and may look to add another centre-back before the summer window closes.

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite has been a leading target this summer but his £70m asking price has proved too steep in negotiations – United have seen two lower offers rejected by the Toffees.

De Ligt is another player United have been chasing for weeks, with the Dutchman prepared to leave Bayern Munich after a troubled two-year spell in Bavaria.

Speaking to Dutch publication AD Sportwereld, Ten Hag went on record with his and United's long-standing interest in the 24-year-old, saying: “It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come.

"I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich (from Juventus) but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process (of targeting signings)."

Tune in to 90min's YouTube channel as Scott Saunders gets the expert lowdown on Leny Yoro from French football journalist Quentin Gesp.

Ten Hag also revealed that United's main transfer shortlist had been drawn up while he was away on holiday, but stressed that he remains part of the conversation and backs the decisions that are being made.

"But of course, I support these decisions, let that be clear. We still make these choices together," he said.

"I know it creates a certain image, of course I understand how that works, but eventually, our criterion will prevail above everything else: is the player good or not? Is he the right character? Does he fit the age and quality bracket we are looking for?

"I understand when you do not win, the media maligns you and there is a bad image, but it (nationality) is irrelevant —whether he is from the Netherlands, Sweden, or France. It is just like the colour of hair the player has. It does not matter what the outside world thinks.

"We make decisions together and we jointly arrive at the best possible selection. I firmly believe we are moving in the right direction."

United have also signed Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, providing stern competition up front for Rasmus Hojlund.

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