Following his breakout season as Ajax captain in 2019, which included helping the club reach the Champions League semi-final when he was just 19, de Ligt has struggled to establish himself at both Juventus and now Bayern. Injuries have played a major part in that with 12 different issues preventing him for getting a prolonged run in defence for both clubs.
Given his struggles over the last few months, rumours of an exit from the Allianz Arena have emerged with Man United choosing to renew their interest from a number of years ago. Given his emergence came under Erik ten Hag, a move to Old Trafford could certainly take place especially with a number of current United centre-backs facing an uncertain future.
Arsenal have also been linked as an option with Mikel Arteta and Edu looking to bolster the club's defensive options. Coming out of the 5-0 win against Crystal Palace, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko are currently the only options known to be fully fit.
Prior to the Saturday clash, Zinchenko's fitness was unknown however Gabriel Magalhaes is now an injury doubt. The likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber have all missed parts of the season through injury.
Despite exit links over de Ligt, Tuchel made a firm admission on his future but it was perhaps the hidden message in his words that serve as a bigger warning to Man United, Arsenal and several others. “We’re planning with Matthijs, top player and top guy," he said on Friday. "Matthijs came back injured from the national team, missed all preseason. We played him too early in the Supercup, then he got seriously injured again."
Several injuries striking de Ligt in recent campaigns could mean those muscular issues follow him throughout his career with Arsenal and Man United sure to want to avoid that given the problems they have faced in defence because of injury already this season.
There is no doubt de Ligt is an excellent defender and as he is only 24, there is plenty of time for him to rediscover his best form which came in the Netherlands a number of years ago.
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