De Ligt 'being investigated for a hit-and-run' near to Bayern's training ground

Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly being investigated by German police on suspicion of a hit-and-run.

The centre back was left out of Bayern Munich's touring squad to South Korea at the end of July as rumours have continued to gather that he could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer.

Erik ten Hag has publicly admitted United do have an interest in the defender, as they look to bolster their ranks having been decimated by injuries to their key defenders last season.

But according to BILD, the 24-year-old is said to have 'rammed a parked car' close to the club's Sabener Strasse training ground on Wednesday morning while driving his Audi Q8 e-tron - worth approximately £63,000 (€74,400).

The German news outlet claims the Netherlands international then 'simply drove away' from the scene, with witnesses having called police emergency lines to alert them of the incident. BILD also state that De Ligt's car was subsequently towed away and impounded.

According to specialist lawyer Marc Wederhake, from Munich, De Ligt could face a prison sentence as a maximum penalty for the incident, if found guilty.

'If convicted, you face up to three years in prison or a fine. Fines are often imposed when people are convicted of such crimes,' the lawyer told BILD.

A specialist lawyer for criminal and traffic law from Stolzenau, Katharina Thueuerkaufer, said to BILD: 'A hit-and-run can only be committed intentionally. Now it must be proven that he perceived the accident acoustically, visually or tangibly.'

Mail Sport has contacted Bayern Munich for comment.

De Ligt was also recently pictured on holiday in Ibiza with his wife and Dutch model Annekee Molenaar. The pair were married in June of this year, after the pair initially got together back in 2018.

United had also been keen to sign Everton defender Jarrod Branthwaite but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group were unwilling to meet the Toffee's valuation of the English star. United appear to have since turned their attention to De Ligt, who joined Bayern Munich from Juventus back in 2022.

Man United had an opening double bid for both De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui rejected last week, with the German giants holding out for a larger fee.

But Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has stated in July that the defender 'could leave' the Bavarian outfit, with reports claiming De Ligt had also agreed personal terms with United.

'It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will come, I know him well,' Ten Hag said to Dutch media outlet AD in July, on whether United were lining up a move for De Ligt.

'I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern. Believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process.'

De Ligt had previously worked under the Dutch coach during his time with Ajax. He joined the Eredivisie side as an academy player before going on to make 117 appearances for the club's senior side.

He would later move to Juventus, equalling that tally of games before joining up with Bayern Munich. He has won domestic league titles with all three clubs he's played for.

De Ligt, who also hails from the Netherlands, travelled with Ronald Koeman's side to Germany for Euro 2024 this summer but failed to make a single appearance for Ronald Koeman's side during the tournament as his side advanced to the semi-finals.

Man United have already dipped their toes into the transfer market signing youngsters Leny Yoro, 18, and Joshua Zirkzee, 23.