Micah Richards disagrees with Rio Ferdinand amid Matthijs de Ligt transfer concerns

Manchester United are on the brink of securing a deal for Matthijs de Ligt in a move that has divided opinion.

The Red Devils have agreed a £42.9million deal for the Bayern Munich defender, who previously played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax. The club are expected to announce the signing ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday.

Defensive reinforcements have been high on the agenda this summer for United, who have already spent £58m on centre back Leny Yoro. However, after the Frenchman was sidelined for three months due to an unfortunate foot injury, the club stepped up their efforts to sign De Ligt, 25, who has been on their radar for some time.

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The Dutchman, who clinched the European Golden Boy award in 2018, was once considered one of the most promising young footballers in the world. However, his reputation has taken a hit following less than stellar spells at Bayern and Juventus.

Consequently, United legend Rio Ferdinand has expressed doubts about the transfer. "I watched him at Ajax and he was brilliant in that year when Erik ten Hag was the manager, and they got to the semi-final [of the Champions League]," Ferdinand, 45, said on his YouTube channel. "He was brilliant, commanding, everything you want in a defender."

"He's had a lot of injuries, hasn't started many games over the last two or three years and Man United are spending £45-50m on him. Is he going to come into Man United and make a difference? I think it's a big ask for him and all eyes are going to be on him.

"Big pressure, big