Erik ten Hag has confirmed Manchester United's interest in signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich but insisted that the club's interest in signing Dutch players is a "coincidence".
Erik ten Hag:"I know Matthijs well, of course, I'm not going to deny that. Two years ago I already wanted to get him, but he was already in very advanced talks with Bayern Munich. But believe it or not: his name didn't come specifically from me in this process."
Ten Hag said that United's main summer transfer shortlist was drawn up between the scouting and recruitment department when he was on holiday. "But of course, I support these decisions, let that be clear," the United manager added. "We still make these choices together.
"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."
Karnue
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Ten Hag is a handsome man, I mean he doesn’t age. Still has the same look since