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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Man Utd linked with Bayern's De Ligt</li><li>Ten Hag an admirer of defender</li><li>Admits he didn't push for the transfer</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Erik ten Hag addresses Man Utd's Matthijs de Ligt transfer pursuit as he insists targeting Bayern Munich & ex-Ajax defender is not his idea

Premier League

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Manchester United

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Bayern Munich

Bayern centre-back De Ligt had reportedly set his sights on a reunion with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag at United but the Premier League side have allegedly <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/matthijs-de-ligt-man-utd-bound-erik-ten-hag-reunion-red-devils-holding-up-deal/blt02e70111d07f4bfd" target="_blank">held up the deal</a>. After signing <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/man-utd-lenny-yoro-red-devils-real-madrid-liverpool-gbp52m-lille-star/blt6c20f3f16147a47e" target="_blank">Lille defender Leny Yoro</a>, manager Ten Hag has spoken about whether or not the Netherlands international will head to Old Trafford.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He told <a href="https://www.ad.nl/buitenlands-voetbal/erik-ten-hag-over-zijn-zware-klus-bij-manchester-united-dit-is-geen-speedboot-he-het-is-een-mammoettanker~a2474e87/" target="_blank">AD Sportwereld</a>: “It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come. I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich (from Juventus) but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process (of targeting signings).”

WHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

While Yoro has joined United, the Red Devils may yet try to recruit more centre-backs this summer. After seeing <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/raphael-varane-confirms-man-utd-exit-video-reveals-what-he-thinks-about-sir-jim-ratcliffe-ineos-disastrous-2023-24-season/blt754aaa235558d94ehttps://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/raphael-varane-confirms-man-utd-exit-video-reveals-what-he-thinks-about-sir-jim-ratcliffe-ineos-disastrous-2023-24-season/blt754aaa235558d94e" target="_blank">Raphael Varane leave on a free transfer</a>, the Premier League team have been eyeing <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-red-devils-cut-price-transfer-everton-jarrad-branthwaite-despite-leny-yoro-move-explained/blt72d0fec68db4c677" target="_blank">Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite</a> and De Ligt. Who knows, they may yet land one of them as they look to become a force in English and European football again.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While transfer negotiations will continue on behind the scenes with De Ligt, Ten Hag's United team face Rangers in a friendly on Saturday. They then take on Arsenal a week later, before locking horns with Real Betis on July 31 as part of their pre-season campaign.

WHAT NEXT?

Erik ten Hag addresses Man Utd's Matthijs de Ligt transfer pursuit as he insists targeting Bayern Munich & ex-Ajax defender is not his idea | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Manchester United&apos;s interest in Matthijs de Ligt but says he hasn&apos;t pushed for the transfer.

Erik ten Hag addresses Man Utd&apos;s Matthijs de Ligt transfer pursuit as he insists targeting Bayern Munich &amp; ex-Ajax defender is not his idea