Louis van Gaal urges Matthijs de Ligt to snub Manchester United for rivals City!
By Ali Akbar
Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal wants Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to join Manchester City instead of his old club this summer.
Louis van Gaal’s hatred for the club that sacked him was clear when he urged Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt to snub offers from Manchester United in favour of joining their rivals, Manchester City.
The centre-back has been linked with a variety of clubs this summer after an impressive campaign which saw his side win the Eredivisie title and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
De Ligt’s defensive performances this season initially caught the eye of Barcelona, with United later joining the race to sign the wonderkid.
However, when former Ajax boss Peter Bosz said that the 19-year-old should join Pep Guardiola’s side instead, van Gaal – who has also managed the club in the past – agreed with him.
Speaking with Fox Sports, Bosz said:
"“I think de Ligt fits perfectly with Manchester City.”“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 added:
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"“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.”"
Although some may find it surprising that the Dutchman is calling on the youngster to join a rival of the club he used to manage, they shouldn’t. Van Gaal has had a chip on his shoulder ever since United sacked him just after he had won them the FA Cup.
What the retired manager fails to recognise is that his side played turgid football throughout his time at Old Trafford and failed to finish in a Champions League spot the season he was dismissed.
His recent comments on de Ligt are just the latest in a string of public appearances in which van Gaal has struggled to hide his bitterness towards his former club.
Some fans still appreciate the stability he brought to United following the disastrous season under David Moyes in which they finished 7th in the Premier League.
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However, after encouraging a transfer target to join their rivals instead, it’s safe to say that the bridges between van Gaal and United are well and truly burnt.