De Ligt would be a valuable asset to Manchester United’s defense if he were signed. He has the strength in the air to complement Martinez’s tenacity, making them a formidable duo at the back. While slightly shorter than Varane, De Ligt won 2.46 aerial duels per 90 minutes in the 2023-24 season, compared to Varane’s 1.68 (as per FBref.com). On the other hand, Martinez has only won 1.11 aerial duels per 90 minutes since joining Manchester United.
In addition to his strength in the air, De Ligt is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. This is evident by his impressive 93.1% pass accuracy last season, which was higher than any player at Old Trafford and even topped the Bayern Munich squad. Martinez was close behind with a pass accuracy of 92.7%, but no other United defender managed more than a 90% pass accuracy last season.
Having captained Ajax at the age of 19, De Ligt has already shown his leadership capabilities, which would make him a natural fit in the heart of Manchester United’s defense. With his aerial prowess, passing accuracy, and leadership qualities, he could be just what United need to shore up their defense and improve their overall performance.
Overall, signing De Ligt would provide Manchester United with an excellent partner for Lisandro Martinez in central defense and significantly improve their ability to play out from the back. His leadership skills and natural fit in the heart of defense make him an ideal addition to the team as they look forward to next season.
