De Ligt impressed by new signings Cunha and Mbeumo
Manchester United’s new signings have already shown what they're capable of in training, says experienced defender Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutch centre-back has just enjoyed his first pre-season tour with United, having joined the club from Bayern Munich in August 2024, alongside Noussair Mazraoui.
De Ligt’s 42-appearance debut season was a solid foundation on which to build, and he’s aiming to kick on further in his second campaign.
Helping him to gain sharpness in pre-season training have been two new attacking talents at the club, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
“They’ve made a really good impression,” de Ligt told United Review, which you can order here to read the full interview.
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“Bryan [Mbeumo] has already scored some good goals in training. Matheus is training really well. He’s at a new club, new environment, but you see he’s already chatting and making jokes with team-mates. So I think that’s also a really good adaptation from him.
“I think Matheus is a really technical player – Brazilian flair, really good with the ball, but also really fast. I didn’t expect that! So, yeah, really, really good player, really attacking midfielder, scores goals, gives assists.
“I think Bryan is more like, really efficient. He just needs one action, to go to his left foot and score. I think one of the biggest qualities in football is to have the ability to score goals and I think he can really help us with that."
It’s the latest in a series of glowing endorsements for United’s two new attacking players, who have settled in well and impressed players and staff in training. They bring humility and quality.
Also signed this summer is young defender Diego Leon, brought in from his boyhood club Cerro Porteno in Paraguay.
“Diego’s a little bit younger, but also a player with a lot of talent,” De Ligt reflected.
“He’s really strong, really physical. Obviously he comes from a different system, so probably less tactical. But all the physical and technical abilities are with him to become a really good player.
“Diego is a really young guy who brings a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm also to do well and he’s also a good addition for the competition in our team.”
Read the full interview with Matthijs in United Review v Fiorentina, which you can order here, or pick up on matchday at Old Trafford.