Bayern Munich star 'frustrated' with current role amid Man Utd transfer interest
- Matthijs de Ligt out of favour under Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich
- Defender appeared 'visibly frustrated' after being dropped for Saturday's loss at Bayer Leverkusen
- Reports from Germany claim Man Utd are interested in De Ligt
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United transfer target Matthijs de Ligt is 'not 100% happy' at Bayern Munich and could leave the club in the summer, according to reports in Germany.
De Ligt has tumbled down the Bayern pecking order this season with head coach Thomas Tuchel preferring Dayot Upamecano and summer signing Kim Min-jae as his first-choice centre-back duo.
The Dutchman had started all five of Bayern's Bundesliga matches following the winter break until Saturday's title showdown at Bayer Leverkusen, with Eric Dier replacing De Ligt in the starting lineup as Bayern lost 3-0.
When asked by BILD post-match whether he was nursing an injury or fit to play, De Ligt was 'visibly frustrated' and replied: "Top fit!"
Later reporting from BILD added De Ligt is understandably not content with life at Bayern, while Tuchel is also keen on bringing in another centre-back, with Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah among his top targets.
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At this rate, De Ligt's best possible chance of remaining at Bayern will come through a change of manager, which is plausible if they do not retain the Bundesliga - the reigning champions are now five points behind Leverkusen after Saturday's defeat at the BayArena.
De Ligt's unhappiness at Bayern will be noteworthy to United, whose interest in the 24-year-old was first reported by Sky Sports Germany last month. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag managed De Ligt at Ajax and the two could reunite at Old Trafford this summer.
United could lose Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans on free transfers at the end of the season with their contracts on the verge of expiration - Ten Hag has admitted the club are waiting to decide their futures - while Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have also been linked with exits.
Despite being drawn in the same Champions League group, De Ligt did not face Ten Hag's United this season, remaining an unused substitute in Bayern's 4-3 win at the Allianz Arena before being ruled out of the return fixture with a knee injury.
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