In 2023, just before the Glazers finally allowed Ineos to take over Manchester United, a former scout at Old Trafford voiced his frustration over the club missing out on one of the most promising young football talents. Marcel Bout, a Dutchman who had worked at Manchester United for eight years alongside Louis van Gaal, was eager to use the club’s connections with Ajax.
At this time, Edwin van der Sar, the iconic goalkeeper, was the CEO of Ajax. Bout saw a chance to build a strong connection between Manchester United and Ajax, especially to secure the signing of Matthijs de Ligt, a standout player from the Dutch club. In an interview with *Algemeen Dagblad*, Bout shared that he had advised Ed Woodward, then the executive vice-chairman of Manchester United, to use their relationship with van der Sar to facilitate future transfers from Ajax. He specifically highlighted the talents of De Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, recommending that United make early moves for these players to allow them to continue developing in the Netherlands before eventually joining Manchester United.
Unfortunately, Bout’s suggestions were disregarded due to various internal issues within Manchester United. Bout and others were left perplexed by the club’s refusal to follow the advice of its recruitment experts. Looking back, Bout likely wished that a group like Ineos, known for its strategic mindset, had been in charge instead of the Glazers and Woodward, who were often criticized for their football decisions.
Despite the missed chance, Bout’s desire for De Ligt to join Manchester United was eventually fulfilled, albeit through a lengthy and circuitous route. De Ligt finally moved to Old Trafford after a £38 million transfer, having previously played for Juventus and then Bayern Munich. The signing was celebrated as a ‘phenomenal’ move, symbolizing the new era under Ineos, where the club refused to overspend and remained firm in negotiations—something Sir Jim Ratcliffe, head of Ineos, was particularly intent on implementing.
De Ligt’s decision to join Manchester United was notable, as he rejected offers from other top European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Barcelona. Reports indicate that De Ligt was motivated by the chance to reunite with Erik ten Hag, the manager who had a significant influence on his development at Ajax. Ten Hag not only made De Ligt captain at a young age but also predicted he would become one of the world’s top center-backs. De Ligt himself has credited Ten Hag as the most influential coach in his career.
De Ligt made his Manchester United debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Fulham. While he might not immediately enter the starting lineup, with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez currently performing well, his opportunity will surely come.
European football experts are hopeful about De Ligt’s future at Manchester United. David Cartlidge, speaking on the *On the Continent* podcast, praised the club’s decision to sign De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, another former Ajax player, at a cost well below other potential targets. He highlighted that De Ligt still has the potential to become a world-class center-back, and that Manchester United’s acquisition of both players marks a significant improvement to their squad.
As Manchester United continues to rebuild under new ownership and Erik ten Hag’s management, the outlook is positive, with De Ligt set to play a key role in the club’s future ambitions.