Rio Ferdinand raises Matthijs de Ligt concern as Manchester United close in on transfer

Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has expressed reservations about Manchester United's decision to pursue a deal for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Saturday, United have had an offer accepted for the Netherlands international following several weeks of negotiations. The deal could rise to £42million and will be paid over a three-year period.

United have been on De Ligt's tail for most of the summer after making the decision to release Raphael Varane at the end of last term. They have already added Leny Yoro to their defensive ranks this summer.

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De Ligt, 24, worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, making 70 appearances under his stewardship in the Netherlands. His performances in his homeland earned him a big-money move to Juventus 2019.

After three years and 117 appearances in Turin, he joined Bayern in 2022, but injury issues have restricted him to just 73 appearances. And it is those injury concerns that have left Ferdinand raising questions about United's plan to add De Ligt to their pool of defensive options.

"He's had a lot of injuries, hasn't started many games over the last two or three years and Man United are spending £45-50 million on him," he said, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents. "Is he going to come into Man United and make a difference?

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