Former Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal says Matthijs de Ligt should join rivals Man City

LOUIS VAN GAAL has no doubt angered Manchester United fans once again - by telling Matthijs de Ligt he should join rivals Manchester City.

The Dutchman, 67, spent two seasons in charge at Old Trafford but failed to win over the supporters with poor football, poor results and poor signings.

And now he looks set to feel the wrath of the United faithful once more.

Van Gaal believes the best place for his compatriot De Ligt, 19, to go in order to develop would be City, under the management of Pep Guardiola.

Speaking to Fox Sports, Van Gaal agreed with fellow ex-Ajax boss Peter Bosz that De Ligt would fit in well at the Etihad.

Van Gaal said: "I think exactly the same. 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."

Both Manchester clubs are expected to try and sign a new centre-back this summer.

Jose Mourinho wanted Kalidou Koulibaly or Harry Maguire last summer but the United board did not stump up the cash.

This year they are being linked with Koulibaly again while Toby Alderweireld is also a target.

United are keen on De Ligt but without Champions League football to offer, it seems unlikely they will land the Dutch star despite signing fellow youngster Dillon Hoogewerf from Ajax.

ETIHAD PLAN

Meanwhile, City need to sign a new central defender following Vincent Kompany's departure.

That currently leaves just John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi - as well as outcast Eliaquim Mangala - as the only centre-backs at the club.

City are now in pole position to sign Leicester's Maguire but would surely prefer to sign De Ligt, who is expected to be sold after captaining Ajax to the domestic double and the Champions League semi-finals this season, as a teenager.

Barcelona have already secured De Ligt's team-mate Frenkie de Jong this summer and would be interested in completing the double signature, allowing Samuel Umtiti to leave.

Van Gaal's bold comments may have infuriated United fans but it is not the first time the former Netherlands gaffer has spoken out over De Ligt's next steps.

In April, Van Gaal suggested Manchester City or Barcelona would be the best place for the youngster.

That time, he said: "I think De Ligt can play in any competition.

"In Italy they are the masters of defence, so he can best develop there. If I had the chance I would go to Barcelona.

“They have central defenders who are not too good, so he will play there.

“Or I would go to Manchester City. I don't think the central defenders are that great either, so he'll play there too."