While Matthijs De Ligt is now one of the hottest names on the transfer market after Ajax’ remarkable Champions League run, last year Manchester United passed on the opportunity to sign him because of concerns over his weight. Back then the club had identified him as an ideal player to build the defense around and while there was competition, he could have been acquired for far less than his market value today.
According to the Mirror, Manchester United decided to pass on De Ligt because of a report from their scout Marcel Bout who despite recommending the Dutch defender, also raised concerns over him gaining weight in following years. This conclusion was also drawn from the fact De Ligt’s father was often known for being overweight. This detail appears to have raised enough concerns that they passed on De Ligt, a decision they certainly regret based on his performances this season.
