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Lothar Matthaus can’t believe Bayern sold ‘best man’ to Man Utd, labels deal a ‘disgrace’
As fans of one of Europe’s biggest clubs mourn the loss of a key player to Manchester United, one former Red Devils target continues to have supporters and pundits alike doubting his credentials.
Kim Min-Jae, linked heavily with a move to Old Trafford before swapping Napoli for Bayern Munich, begun this season like the last one ended.
With a mistake which led directly to an opposition goal.
Kim, who’s Bayern career was rather summed up by his error-strewn display against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, was caught on the ball as Wolfsburg drew level during Sunday’s thrilling Bundesliga opener.
Say what you want about Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United’s new number four – a ‘phenomenal’ signing at £38 million – certainly did not give away chances with anywhere near as much regularity as Kin has done in a Bayern shirt.
And while Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus was presumably not one of the 70,000 or so supporters who signed a petition demanding De Ligt stay at the Allianz Arena, the former Ballon D’Or winner feels another calamitous defensive performance by the Bavarian giants makes the Dutchman’s sale look even more erroneous.
Bayern Munich sold Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United
“Even if it was a bit bumpy at the end, the three points are what count in the end,” Matthaus tells Sky Germany, Wolfsburg scoring twice in eight second-half minutes but ending up losing 3-2 thanks to Serge Gnabry’s late finish.
“The defence is and remains FC Bayern ‘s Achilles heel. Matthijs de Ligt was sold, although he was the most stable for the last two years. He was the head of defence.
“Now, Bayern are again looking for a successor to David Alaba. For me, it is a disgrace that this leader is missing. After all, we are talking about FC Bayern here!”
“Many people – including in the team – are just shaking their heads, because the players also know that they are shaky in defence. And then the best defender for many is sold.”
De Ligt is yet to make his first start for Man United – coming off the bench against Fulham and Brighton – but the upcoming derby clash with Liverpool would be the ideal time for Erik ten Hag’s former Ajax skipper to announce himself at Old Trafford.
Labelled a defender of Real Madrid-level quality by Reds icon Jamie Carragher, a few stellar performances once he settles down at United will only increase the sense of bemusement amongst the Bayern faithful.
Especially if Kim – who could have arrived at Man United back in 2023 for around £40 million – continues to commit costly errors at an alarming rate.
Another nightmare for Kim Min-Jae
“I don’t want to offend Kim, but he simply hasn’t combined the clear, quick passing game with a certain security that is needed,” Matthaus adds. “I didn’t like that about him from the start. The ball bounces around with him.
“That’s not what I expect at the highest level. That’s not Bayern Munich. He also doesn’t have the tackling strength that he had at Napoli at the moment.”
Bayern Munich also sold Noussair Mazraoui to Man United.
Since then, his replacement at right-back – Josip Stanisic – has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with an injury.
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