MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly launched a formal approach for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.

Erik ten Hag is keen to add another centre-back having already signed Leny Yoro for £52million from Lille.

Matthijs de Ligt was in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024

Erik ten Hag and Matthijs de Ligt worked together at Ajax

And Bild’s Christian Falk reports that Old Trafford chiefs have had an initial offer worth £29.5m rejected.

Bayern are reportedly holding out for £42m plus add-ons.

The Bundesliga outfit are believed to need to sell players to fund their own summer spend and talks are continuing between the clubs.

Ten Hag introduced De Ligt, 24, to first-team action while they were at Ajax together.

The pair maintain a good relationship and De Ligt fits the profile of ball-playing centre-back United are keen on.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness has opened the door to an exit.

He toild German media at the weekend: “It’s possible that a defender will leave.

“De Ligt is Dutch, the coach at Manchester United is Dutch… I would have no problem if he stays. Personally, I would not sell [Dayot] Upamecano.”

Despite the strong Netherlands connections in United’s summer business, Ten Hag claims it is Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the board who picked their targets.

He told Dutch outlet AD: “It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will come, I know him well.

“I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern. Believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process.

“During my vacation I was three or four weeks out of the process. During that period it was really the club, the newly equipped scouting and recruitment department, that brought in these players.

“The fact that there are also Dutch people among them is in fact a coincidence. Primarily, these were players who were proposed from our organisation. But of course I support it, let that be clear. And we still make the choice together.”