Manchester United missed out on the chance to sign Matthijs De Ligt – because they were told he would become too fat.
Ajax skipper De Ligt has emerged as one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe, with the centre-back set to spark a £75million scramble for his signature this summer.
United, who are desperate to sign a central defender this summer, could have signed De Ligt for less than that figure last season – but decided against it because of concerns over his weight.
Dutch scout Marcel Bout, who was brought in by Louis van Gaal and remained in his role despite the former United manager’s sacking, scouted De Ligt extensively and recommended him to the club.
But Bout told United that De Ligt’s father Frank was significantly overweight and predicted the 19-year-old Holland international would go the same way as he got older and lose his pace and power.
CraigMoothusamy
345
this is Absolutely stupid. Ronaldo became fat and still ran circles around defenders. Why are stupid people in control of make decisions like this. So if your daughter or son is fat after playing sports... would u discard them???? This is unbelievably ridiculous. Stupidly idiotic people must get sacked from United. He would be a world class defender and a great leader and they worried about him becoming fat... So if your wife becomes fat after marriage would u divorce her or help her achieve her goals to lose the weight... I will say It one more time stupidly idiotic people should not make decisions for United anymore... Yourll should leave it up to the Manager and the board of directors.
Zocadmnot
188
it does not matter if he's father is fat,the fact here is we want him to come at man u. yes yes
kodbdmty
158
José the GOAT knew De Ligt's potential and told Woodward to go and get him...But Ed went to his scout who looked at his 'Fat Father' and deduced that this professional physical specimen 19year old beast would get overweight in a few years...Had we got him our defence would have been solve #JoséTheSpecialOne
Caclopstuz
118
All in all, personally I think we need a different man in charge of the affairs of Man United. This man Ed is the one who is a total failure, and he doesn't get the blame. Since he took over that post nothing good has come the Manchester United way, he has been busy always making wrong signings and bringing in wrong players; look at the likes of Sanchez, Lukaku, Bailey, etc etc and extensions of contracts to players like Phil Jones, Rojo, Smelling, Young, Danien, and the likes, all these are the problems attributed to someone in his position. The sooner we realise it and call a spade a spade, not a spoon.
mee zi
110
Actually De Light body same with England defender McGuire from Leicester. No matter how he is, actually it will depend on how you play and style of football. Maybe he look fat but actually he is not. If not, i think klopp can try to buy him as a competitor for Van Dijk or Gomez..
FireBlaze14K
108
Lol. if they can sign Lukaku aka mark Henry then why not de ligt ?
Desmondeyum
107
I don't understand why united most a times miss out on Good players for some bad decisions, De ligt could have joined them last season but they were afraid he would become fat, can't they control that, Now he would not go there
Gunner_Ye_Gyi
85
How about Lukaku's weight ? Nonsense,Manchester United
Nesaiknruy_Legend
77
They should have saw how whack Anderson was going to be before they signed him same way they assume De Ligt will put on weight only cos his father has lol.
kazzul75
75
Well this is astonishing! A pro fotballer will never go fat, they build muscles maybe instead. Furthermore they play and train almost everyday. If he wants to be a legend anywhere he should be responsible enough for himself caring for his weight as a pro fotballer.
kharmtv
65
Am so surprised with this team they are saying that delight is à fat or hé will become à fat, but they have to remember that United has the slim defenders like smalling,rojo, Jones but what they are doing is nothing so it is better to sign à fatest one than them. If an proffesional team like United looking the issues like that in signing the players they will find themselves in six place again next season. And if they are saying about de ligt weight didnt they remember how Jap stam was. What I want to say United are joking with the pearl which is on their control but they will remember it.