In a very interesting twist, Manchester United’s bid to sign Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui has been rejected. Despite agreeing on personal terms with both players, Bayern’s decision has left United puzzled. 

The Red Devils have had a mixed pre-season and were recently beaten quite comprehensively in their last game against Liverpool. They have also incurred some injuries that might leave them short-handed at the start of the season. 

United will start their premier league campaign when they host Fulham on the 16th of August in what will be the opener of yet another blockbuster Premier League season.

Manchester United fans will be hopeful for a better campaign when the Premier League campaign gets started. But before that, they will face league champions Manchester City in the community shield. Fans of both sides can purchase their Premier League tickets from an online resale store.

Ten Hag looks to get his old Ajax guards once more

Matthijs de Ligt who is a 24-year-old Dutch center back has made a name for himself as one of the top young defenders in Europe. Starting his career at Ajax, he moved to Juventus in 2019 before joining Bayern Munich. He is known for his strong defensive abilities, leadership qualities, and ability to score a goal or two. 

De Ligt has been seen as a key target for Manchester United for quite some time, and even more right now especially after their recent defensive injury. Lenny Yoro has now been ruled out of action for three months, making defensive cover even more crucial.

His Moroccan counterpart, Noussair Mazraoui is a 26-year-old Moroccan right-back who, like De Ligt, started his career at Ajax. He joined Bayern Munich in 2022 and has been known for his versatility, capable of playing both in defence and midfield. His attacking quality and defensive abilities have made him an attractive option for United, especially with ongoing talks to sell Aaron Wan Bissaka to West Ham.

Manchester United had been negotiating with Bayern Munich for the transfer of De Ligt and Mazraoui. They believed they had reached a favourable deal, especially since both players were reportedly surplus to requirements at Bayern. United’s offer included five-year contracts with an option for an additional 12 months, terms that were already agreed upon with the players.

However, Bayern Munich’s rejection of the bid caught everyone by surprise. The rejection left United’s representatives and the players’ agent, Rafaela Pimenta, bewildered. It was believed that the offer was in line with Bayern’s valuation, especially given that the club had informed both players they could leave if a suitable offer came in.

The reasons behind Bayern’s decision to reject the offer remain unclear. Initially, it seemed like a straightforward transfer, given the club’s willingness to let go of the players. However, Bayern’s sudden change of heart might be due to several factors. 

Bayern might have reevaluated the players’ worth, especially considering the current transfer market inflation and with the new season approaching, Bayern might have decided to keep the players to ensure squad depth and cover for potential injuries. Bayern may be trying to leverage the situation to get a better offer from United or another club.

What could the possible rejection mean for Man Utd?

For Manchester United, the rejection of their bid presents a significant problem. The club has been actively seeking to bolster their defence, especially after new signing Leny Yoro was ruled out for three months with a broken metatarsal. De Ligt and Mazraoui are now seen as very crucial additions to fill the gaps in the squad, especially with the start of the season drawing ever closer.

The situation becomes even more complicated with the ongoing negotiations to sell Aaron Wan Bissaka. The right-back has been in talks with West Ham, and his departure would leave United short-handed in the right-back position. Mazraoui was seen as a direct replacement for Wan-Bissaka, and the failed bid now puts United in a precarious situation.

Despite the setback, Manchester United is not giving up on their pursuit of De Ligt and Mazraoui. The club may revisit their offer, but they are unlikely to significantly increase it, considering Bayern’s previous stance on the players’ availability. United’s priority is to strengthen their defence, and they will explore other options if the deal does not go through.

United’s transfer strategy has been clear since the reappointment of Erik ten Hag, they want to build a strong, competitive squad capable of challenging for top honors. The rejection of their bid for De Ligt and Mazraoui is a difficult one to take, but it just shows you how complex the transfer market can be. The club must now decide whether to persist with their current targets or shift focus to other players, they do not have much time, and if they decide to part ways with the likes of Scott Mctominay and Aaron Wan Bissaka, the funds should be available to meet Bayern Munich’s demands. 

Conclusion

Manchester United’s attempt to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui has hit a major roadblock with Bayern Munich rejecting their bid. The unexpected development has left United puzzled and in a quite challenging position as they seek to strengthen their defense. While the situation remains delicately poised, it just goes to show the unpredictable nature of the transfer market and the need for clubs to adapt quickly and fast to changing circumstances in negotiations.

As the transfer window progresses, Manchester United will continue to explore their options. Whether they return with an improved offer for De Ligt and Mazraoui or shift their focus to other targets, one thing is clear: the club is determined to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. The next couple of days will be crucial in shaping the team’s potential success in the upcoming season.