Injury-Prone, but a Risk Worth Taking: The Pros and Cons of Signing Matthijs de Ligt for Ineos

De Ligt’s injury history is an aspect of his game that may surprise fans, particularly during the 2023-24 season when he missed 12 games due to injury, according to Transfermarkt. This is nearly equivalent to Varane, who was often criticized for his injury troubles at Old Trafford, missing 11 games. However, looking at De Ligt’s overall career, it seems that last season’s injury record may have been an anomaly. Throughout his career, he has only missed more than seven games due to injury twice – the other instance being in the 2020-21 season when a shoulder injury sidelined him for an extended period.

Given that De Ligt has played for some of Europe’s top clubs, it is likely that he will demand a substantial salary. With several key players departing or facing uncertain futures at Ineos, signing De Ligt could potentially challenge the club’s strategy of avoiding high wages for players. Despite the financial considerations, the fact that Ten Hag has previously worked successfully with De Ligt might make the risk of signing him worthwhile. Bringing De Ligt to the team could also serve as a strong statement of support for Ten Hag from Ineos, especially after extending his contract at Old Trafford.