Ex-Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal encourages Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to join their city rivals
- Louis van Gaal believes Ajax star Matthijs De Ligt should join Manchester City
- Van Gaal was manager of Manchester United for two season from 2015
- Dutch defender is likely to seal big-money move away from Ajax this summer
Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt has been urged to join Manchester City by former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman is likely to leave the Eredivisie champions this summer, with a host of top clubs vying for his signature.
Van Gaal, who coached Ajax between 1991 and 1997 and led them the 1995 Champions League, backed de Ligt to thrive under Pep Guardiola – despite interest in him from Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal believes Matthijs de Ligt would thrive under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
‘I think De Ligt fits perfectly with Manchester City,’ former Ajax boss Bosz told FOX Sports. ‘Vincent Kompany is already gone and Nicolas Otamendi is not good enough. Then I would love to see him next to Aymeric Laporte.’
Van Gaal agreed, adding: ‘I think exactly the same. Although De Ligt can go to Barcelona too, because I don’t like their central defenders either.
‘He could play at Barcelona, but he could play for Manchester City also, and in that case I would choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi.’
Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is attracting interest from several top clubs across Europe
