Former Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn is complimentary when it comes to Matthijs de Ligt, who has been strongly linked with a summer move to Manchester United, but the former Germany goalkeeper has raised a concern over the defender’s injury record.
This is not the type of worry United want to have with a new signing after the injury crisis we witnessed last season, but it is understood that Erik ten Hag is open to the idea of signing the Netherlands international.
Kahn expressed his admiration for De Ligt as well as his regret that the highly-rated centre-back has not quite hit the heights he may have done.
He told Sport1: “I think incredibly highly of Matthijs”, adding that he sees him as “a guy who can grow into a leadership role.”
Kahn added: “Unfortunately, he was repeatedly set back by injuries.
“We thought he would grow into the role that David Alaba played. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look like the case at the moment.”
The last thing we need is another defender having injury set-backs. It’s bad enough with not knowing when Luke Shaw will be ruled out next.
Latest on Manchester United’s centre-back search
Reports in France suggest Leny Yoro is discussing a potential salary with United after Lille accepted United’s bid of £42m.
Meanwhile, The Athletic claims the current expectation is United would recruit one or the other when it comes to De Ligt and Yoro as opposed to both.
Could injuries be the biggest factor against De Ligt or is it completely down to Yoro’s potential as a generational talent?
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