Matthijs de Ligt told to join Man Utd’s rivals by Louis van Gaal

De Ligt is expected to decide where his future lies in the coming days

Louis van Gaal has advised Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to join Manchester City by former Manchester United boss, Louis van Gaal. De Ligt, one of the stars of Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals this season, is expected to leave the Dutch champions this summer. Though Barcelona appeared to be clear favourites to sign him at one stage, reports continue to link him with a move to United, who are said to have offered him a significantly better financial package. According to Van Gaal, however, De Ligt would be better suited playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. In conversation with another former Ajax manager, Peter Bosz, on FOX Sports (via the Daily Mail), Van Gaal agreed that a transfer to the Premier League champions would be the best option for the 19-year-old. "I think De Ligt fits perfectly with Manchester City," Bosz said. "Vincent Kompany is already gone and Nicolas Otamendi is not good enough. Then I would love to see him next to Aymeric Laporte." "I think exactly the same," Van Gaal responded. "Although De Ligt can go to Barcelona too, because I don't like their central defenders either.

"He could play at Barcelona, but he could play for Manchester City also, and in that case I would choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi."

Reports last week suggested De Ligt was set to make a decision on his future in the coming days. Though City are thought to be monitoring the situation, they have not been as heavily linked with a move for him as their local rivals. He is currently with the Dutch national side as they prepare to face England in the Uefa Nations League finals in Portugal later this week.