De Ligt signs for the Red Devils in a deal worth up to £42.9m during the summer transfer window after losing his spot in the starting lineup and learning he is not in the defensive plans under new manager Vincent Kompany, who prefers the pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Kim-Min jae.

De ligt departure was not an expected one among fans, who had started a huge petition urging Bayern board to keep hold of the dutch man before he eventually departed.

Asked to explain Bayern’s decision to offload De Ligt, Eberl said: “I followed [the fan response], including the petition. I know that many fans identify with him.

“Nevertheless, I had to make this decision because we also had to sell players. We felt more comfortable with Upamecano and Kim because they can defend higher up the pitch. And then an offer came in for De Ligt.”

De Ligt scored his first United goal in the weekend’s 3-0 win over Southampton – a much-needed confidence boost after an international break littered with costly errors from the centre-back.

“At this moment he is not fit, he’s not at 100% speed,” United boss Erik ten Hag said after the win. “He needs the games to go up to it.

“We see glimpses now and once he’s there he will do much better. We are happy with him and especially today with his game.”