Gary Neville reckons new signing Matthijs de Ligt could have a ‘transformative’ impact at Manchester United.
The former Manchester United captain made the bold prediction on Sky Sports when speaking about the biggest signings made by Premier League clubs this summer.
United worked hard to get the De Ligt deal across the line, but ended up bringing one of his Bayern Munich team-mates along with him, as Noussair Mazraoui joined the club on the same day.
Both transfers mark a reunion for Erik ten Hag and Neville is tipping De Ligt for big things at Old Trafford.
Pundits Neville and Jamie Carragher were tasked with ranking three of the Premier League’s biggest-money signings thus far this summer.
They agreed that De Ligt deserves top spot above Chelsea winger Pedro Neto and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke.
“I would like to think it’s going to be De Ligt,” Neville said. “I would like to think De Ligt is going to be the best signing. I think these two [De Ligt and Neto] are going to have the most transformative impact on their teams. United have to go from eighth up to third or fourth, and Chelsea have to go from fifth.”
Jamie Carragher, who usually criticises United, labelled De Ligt a centre-back of Clasico credentials.
“He is the best player (of the three), I think,” Carragher added. “He’s a Barcelona-type of player or even maybe a Real Madrid.
“He’s got the pedigree in terms of where he’s come from and the clubs he’s played for.”
Meanwhile, some former players have raised concerns over De Ligt.
Dwight Yorke has one huge question about the Netherlands centre-back.
“I think Manchester United will get back in the Champions League because they have done good business, especially bringing in Matthijs de Ligt which is a really good acquisition,” Yorke told CSGOluck, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“My only question mark over De Ligt is why Eric Dier got into the Bayern Munich team ahead of him. Maybe it shows that certain players suit certain clubs because I think he will do well at Old Trafford.
“De Ligt is better than Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof and he knows Erik ten Hag, he can be a major factor in the improvement of Manchester United. De Ligt will bring that energy back into the defensive and make United a little bit harder to beat, but I don’t see United finishing any higher than fourth. It just won’t happen.”
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