Manchester United can offer Matthijs de Ligt dream shirt number if they decide to make a move

Though a move appears highly unlikely, Manchester United might be able to offer Matthijs de Ligt his perfect shirt number if they pulled off the speculative transfer - though it would depend on outgoings.

Midfield reinforcements are the priority, but United really need to improve their backline this summer as well and are aiming to do so by bringing in a centre-back. Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire all struggled at points last season, while periphery figures Phil Jones and Eric Bailly could leave the club.

MEN Sport understands that new manager Erik ten Hag has named Jurrien Timber, whom he enjoyed great success with at Ajax, as his ideal candidate. The 20-year-old was a key member of Ajax's title-winning side, impressing with his distribution and reading of the game.

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Timber is also capable of playing at right-back, which is handy as United are also looking to strengthen the position with Aaron Wan-Bissaka free to leave. Should United be unable to sign the Dutchman, then Braga's David Carmo has been identified as a fallback option.

However, another one of Ten Hag's former stars has started to be linked with a move in recent days in the shape of De Ligt. The links with one of the standout performers of the Ajax side that reached the Champions League semi-finals under Ten Hag are inevitable, especially as he holds a keen interest in Frenkie de Jong as well.

United previously had an interest in De Ligt in 2019 but the 22-year-old instead chose Juventus for his big-money move. However, things haven't gone quite as well as expected with his arrival in Turin coinciding with the Old Lady's loosening grip of dominance on Serie A.

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