The East Stand

Manchester United transfer the new Chinese Super League move? Mockery over money in Matthijs De Ligt reports

The Independent cites Barcelona source making fun of reports that Ajax player Matthijs De Ligt might choose Old Trafford over Camp Nou

United can offer wages that are the envy of even Chinese league’s biggest payers, but little else

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Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt leads his teammates in celebrating beating Juventus. Photo: AP

Formerly of the South China Morning Post, Jonathan White has written about sport from China for nearly 15 years, and covered the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the Fifa World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Published: 4:47pm, 6 Jun 2019Updated: 12:39pm, 11 Dec 2019

Signing for Manchester United has been likened to choosing to play in the Chinese Super League, an insider at Barcelona has told The Independent.

For those not reading between the lines, the implication is that if you go to either then it is only for money.

The British online newspaper reported that when “a figure who works at Barcelona in a senior capacity” was told of the rumours United could beat the Spanish champions to Ajax captain Matthijs De Ligt, “they reacted in utter bemusement”.

“With the state they’re [United] in, it’s not far off picking the Chinese league, career-wise. It’d be sacrificing development and ambition for money in the same way,” the Independent quoted the senior figure as saying.

Shanghai SIPG’s Hulk and Oscar on the attack. Photo: AP

Both clubs are reported to be interested in signing centre-back De Ligt after the 19-year-old guided his side to the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League, and the Dutch league and cup double.