Manchester United's newly acquired centre-back Matthijs de Ligt said his long playing partnership with Noussair Mazraoui will be a big boost to United's back line, an area that was decimated last season by injuries.

The defenders signed contracts on Tuesday from Bayern Munich making United their third team together, and they could both feature in the squad's season opener on Friday against Fulham at Old Trafford.

"What can I tell you about Nous? He is an amazing guy, an amazing player," De Ligt said in an interview with the team's in-house media.

"I've known him already for a long time, I think around 10 years now. There's a reason we always come together, like before in Ajax, then at Bayern Munich, now at Manchester United," the 25-year-old Dutch defender added. "I think it is a special relationship and I'm really happy and glad that he's also going to be here, and I think we can help each other a lot."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/manchester-united-manager-erik-ten-hag-admits-team-not-ready-for-premier-league-opener-vs-fulham-750580">Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag admits 'team not ready' for Premier League opener vs Fulham</a>

De Ligt, who signed a deal until 2029, and Mazraoui, whose contract runs until 2028, have played more than 100 games together at Bayern and Ajax.

They also know Erik ten Hag well, having both played for the United boss when he was Ajax manager.

"He has played a big part (in my development), to be fair. He was the first trainer who made me captain, I was 18 years old and he just gave me so much confidence," De Ligt said of Ten Hag, who made him the youngest captain in Ajax's history.

"He told me right from the start: 'You are an example for the team, and I want you to be captain.' Just the confidence he gave me at that time, at that age, was really special."

United have largely rebuilt their back line from last season, which is part of what drew De Ligt to the team, he said. "I actually really like the project," he said. "It's always nice to go somewhere and to feel that you're part of a new project, to feel that you're part of something new."

"Hopefully myself, and the other players that are coming this summer, can give a great piece to the next history of Manchester United and to get the club back to where it belongs: on top."

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Manchester United's newly acquired centre-back Matthijs de Ligt said his long playing partnership with Noussair Mazraoui will be a big boost to United's back line, an area that was decimated last season by injuries.

Manchester United's newly acquired centre-back Matthijs de Ligt said his long playing partnership with Noussair Mazraoui will be a big boost to United's back line, an area that was decimated last season by injuries. The defenders signed contracts on Tuesday from Bayern Munich making United their third team together, and they could both feature in the squad's season opener on Friday against Fulham at Old Trafford. "What can I tell you about Nous? He is an amazing guy, an amazing player," De Ligt said in an interview with the team's in-house media. "I've known him already for a long time, I think around 10 years now. There's a reason we always come together, like before in Ajax, then at Bayern Munich, now at Manchester United," the 25-year-old Dutch defender added. "I think it is a special relationship and I'm really happy and glad that he's also going to be here, and I think we can help each other a lot." ALSO READ: Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag admits 'team not ready' for Premier League opener vs Fulham De Ligt, who signed a deal until 2029, and Mazraoui, whose contract runs until 2028, have played more than 100 games together at Bayern and Ajax. They also know Erik ten Hag well, having both played for the United boss when he was Ajax manager. "He has played a big part (in my development), to be fair. He was the first trainer who made me captain, I was 18 years old and he just gave me so much confidence," De Ligt said of Ten Hag, who made him the youngest captain in Ajax's history. "He told me right from the start: 'You are an example for the team, and I want you to be captain.' Just the confidence he gave me at that time, at that age, was really special." United have largely rebuilt their back line from last season, which is part of what drew De Ligt to the team, he said. "I actually really like the project," he said. "It's always nice to go somewhere and to feel that you're part of a new project, to feel that you're part of something new." "Hopefully myself, and the other players that are coming this summer, can give a great piece to the next history of Manchester United and to get the club back to where it belongs: on top." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

De Ligt-Mazraoui alliance ready to rock Premier League as Manchester United prepare for season opener

Manchester United have completed the double swoop of Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui ahead of the new season on Tuesday (Aug 13). United who will kick start the Premier League season on Friday evening against Fulham at Old Trafford will be boosted by the arrival of the duo as they look to challenge for the title. The Red Devils have been active in the market and will look to build a new team under manager Erik ten Hag having paid £60 million ($77 million, 70 million euros) as a combined fee to Bayern.

<h2>Manchester complete double swoop</h2>

"As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club,” De Ligt said in his first interview.

"In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it.”

The latest signings see United add three senior defenders so far into the first team having already signed Lery Yono from Lille. The duo of De Ligt and Mazraoui had been on the team’s radar for a while with speculations linking them since the last season.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/west-ham-sign-aaron-wan-bissaka-from-manchester-united-for-a-seven-year-contract-749842">West Ham sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for a seven-year contract</a>

Manchester United have not won a Premier League title since the 2012-13 season and will be eager to end the drought this season if they can challenge the monopoly of city rivals Manchester City.

On the other hand, Dutch defender De Ligt has become the most expensive defender in the history of football having now acquired a combined transfer fee of more than $200 million. Having started his career with Ajax under then-manager Ten Hag, De Ligt moved to Juventus for a fee of $85 million in 2019. In 2022 he would switch to Bayern from Juventus for a fee of $70 million while his latest move sees him smash the record combined transfer fee ever paid for a defender.

Manchester United have completed the double swoop of Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui ahead of the new season on Tuesday (Aug 13). United who will kick start the Premier League season on Friday evening against Fulham at Old Trafford will be boosted by the arrival of the duo as they look to challenge for the title.

Manchester United have completed the double swoop of Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui ahead of the new season on Tuesday (Aug 13). United who will kick start the Premier League season on Friday evening against Fulham at Old Trafford will be boosted by the arrival of the duo as they look to challenge for the title. The Red Devils have been active in the market and will look to build a new team under manager Erik ten Hag having paid £60 million ($77 million, 70 million euros) as a combined fee to Bayern. Manchester complete double swoop "As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club,” De Ligt said in his first interview. "In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it.” The latest signings see United add three senior defenders so far into the first team having already signed Lery Yono from Lille. The duo of De Ligt and Mazraoui had been on the team’s radar for a while with speculations linking them since the last season. ALSO READ | West Ham sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for a seven-year contract Manchester United have not won a Premier League title since the 2012-13 season and will be eager to end the drought this season if they can challenge the monopoly of city rivals Manchester City. On the other hand, Dutch defender De Ligt has become the most expensive defender in the history of football having now acquired a combined transfer fee of more than $200 million. Having started his career with Ajax under then-manager Ten Hag, De Ligt moved to Juventus for a fee of $85 million in 2019. In 2022 he would switch to Bayern from Juventus for a fee of $70 million while his latest move sees him smash the record combined transfer fee ever paid for a defender.

Manchester United complete double swoop of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

The visitors had the better chances in their bid to become the first Dutch club ever to win at Bayern having fallen behind early on to a Mats Hummels header.

Bayern struggled to build on their advantage and their recent slump continued as they battled to keep a vibrant Ajax at bay. Bot teams moved to four points from their two games.

They began well with Hummels given space in the box to head home an excellent Arjen Robben cross.

But Ajax, captained by 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, showed no signs of wilting and were level midway through the first half with an expertly-worked equaliser.

Mazraoui played a one-two with Dusan Tadic and sprinted into the box to score his first goal for the club.

Hummels was given another free header, this time from a corner, but planted his effort over the bar, while a rasping 35-yard shot from the lively Hakim Ziyech stung the palms of Manuel Neuer in the home goal.

Tadic should have put Ajax ahead just after halftime when he was left unmarked inside the box, but could only provide a weak volley from David Neres's cross with just Neuer to beat.

Nicolas Tagliafico also shot meekly at the goalkeeper and Donny van de Beek fired wide from 10-yards from Tadic's flick with the goal gaping.

Lasse Schone then saw his late free kick palmed onto the crossbar by a diving Neuer.

Bayern have now gone three gakes without a win in all competitions.

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

Fullback Noussair Mazraoui earned a youthful Ajax side a 1-1 draw at misfiring Bayern Munich in their Champions League Group E clash at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. The visitors had the better chances in their bid to become the first Dutch club ever to win at Bayern having fallen behind early on to a Mats Hummels header. Bayern struggled to build on their advantage and their recent slump continued as they battled to keep a vibrant Ajax at bay. Bot teams moved to four points from their two games. They began well with Hummels given space in the box to head home an excellent Arjen Robben cross. But Ajax, captained by 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, showed no signs of wilting and were level midway through the first half with an expertly-worked equaliser. Mazraoui played a one-two with Dusan Tadic and sprinted into the box to score his first goal for the club. Hummels was given another free header, this time from a corner, but planted his effort over the bar, while a rasping 35-yard shot from the lively Hakim Ziyech stung the palms of Manuel Neuer in the home goal. Tadic should have put Ajax ahead just after halftime when he was left unmarked inside the box, but could only provide a weak volley from David Neres's cross with just Neuer to beat. Nicolas Tagliafico also shot meekly at the goalkeeper and Donny van de Beek fired wide from 10-yards from Tadic's flick with the goal gaping. Lasse Schone then saw his late free kick palmed onto the crossbar by a diving Neuer. Bayern have now gone three gakes without a win in all competitions.

Ajax show Dutch courage to earn deserved point in Munich