Kim Min-Jae (28, Munich) will have a bigger role in the team.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday that “Manchester United have completed an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign Netherlands international defender Matthijs de Ligt. The transfer fee will total 50 million euros ($74.6 million),” the newspaper reported.
Der Licht rose to prominence at Ajax in the 2018-19 season, becoming the club’s youngest captain at the age of 19. He moved to Juventus in 2019-20, where he helped the club win the Serie A title. After three seasons, he moved to Munich in July 2022.
The move was reportedly made at the insistence of United. United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, conceding 58 goals, the most in the club’s history. The Red Devils were in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after a series of injuries ravaged their existing defense.
Der Licht was a favorite of Thomas Tuchel in the second half of last season as he and Eric Dier formed a solid center back pairing. Der Licht’s move to United has given Kim a much bigger role in the team.
Bayern Munich won a 3-2 preseason friendly against Tottenham Hotspur on Sept. 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The Bavarians, who defeated Tottenham 2-1 in Seoul on Sept. 3, won again.
Kim Min-jae started in central defense and partnered with Dayo Upamecano at center back. Kim played 89 minutes before being 파워볼사이트 substituted. However, just a minute into the match, a defensive mistake by Kim Min-jae led to the first goal. Kim handled an aerial ball somewhat complacently and chased after it, but was unable to make up for his mistake. It was a fatal mistake for the midfielder, who was supposed to be the main defender.
Kim Min-jae had an up-and-down season last season. Until the middle of last season, Kim was a consistent center back for Munich. But after the Asian Games, he lost his place to new signing Eric Dier. Pushed aside as a candidate, Kim made costly mistakes in the Champions League against Real Madrid, leading Thomas Tuchel to drop him to the bench.
The arrival of world-class defense coach Vincent Kompany in Munich opened up opportunities for Kim. Kompany praised Kim and recognized his value. This opened the door for Kim to make the leap back into the starting lineup.
The circumstances of his move to Der Licht were also in his favor. Hiroki Ito, the Japanese international defender who joined from Stuttgart, was ruled out for three months with a metatarsal injury. Kompany has no choice but to rely on Kim Min-jae.
If Leverkusen’s unbeaten championship-winning captain Jonathan Tah’s arrival is finalized, Kim Min-jae and Upamecano will likely compete for his partner’s spot.