Transfer Centre

Dimitar Berbatov urges Manchester United to sign Matthijs de Ligt

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 April 2019

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov wants the Red Devils to go after Matthijs de Ligt this summer, comparing the Ajax skipper to Virgil van Dijk.

Dimitar Berbatov has insisted that Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is exactly the type of player former club Manchester United should be targeting this summer.

The Red Devils are believed to be after a number of new players on the back of a disappointing campaign that will see them finish trophiless and possibly outside the Premier League's top four.

A new centre-back is rumoured to be high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's list of targets, with United missing out on the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Milan Skriniar and Harry Maguire last summer.

Berbatov wants the side he spent four years with to go after De Ligt, who is also on the radar of Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich.

"Ole needs a centre-back who can control the ball, pass into midfield and not be intimidated - just like [Virgil] Van Dijk," he told The Sun. "If I am a striker with Van Dijk in my team, I know it will be OK. They need someone like that.

"For a player so young, De Ligt's performances are incredible. He's mature, comfortable on the ball, and he is not bothered who he plays against - [Cristiano] Ronaldo or whoever. He doesn't care, he just plays his own game.

"He moves with grace and doesn't panic on the ball. He has everything you want from a defender. That guy will be an unbelievable player. He's a great talent and I hope United go for him in the summer and get him."

De Ligt has previously hinted that he is open to a move to Juventus, but Barcelona are believed to be leading the race for the Ajax skipper's signature.