The comment on the transfer of a word from Matthijs de Ligt convinced fans of Man Utd that he was signing

Manchester United fans are keeping a close eye on Matthijs de Ligt during the transfer period.

The Dutch international seems confident of leaving his childhood club, Ajax, and has been closely linked to moves to Manchester United and Barcelona.

The latter should win the race, as they can offer teen league football champions and the opportunity to play a title in its first season.

But United would have, it seems, offered more money to the young player and would still be in the running to land the Ajax captain, who guided the Amsterdam-based club in the semi-final of the Champions League this season.

De Ligt recently addressed his future in an interview with RTL Boulevard.

The Dutchman said: "I am very excited by what the near future can bring me, but I am also calm, I see it as a challenge, it is the most important thing."

"There are several options, what I do is see what is the best option, it seems logical that one option is better than the other."

De Ligt added: "It could be difficult, but I'm a normal Dutchman, I'm not very different from others, maybe everything will be more intense abroad."

Manchester United fans reacted to the interview on social media, and one word from this interview apparently caught their eye.

De Ligt uses the word "challenge", which suggests that he could refer to what would await him at Old Trafford when he signed for United.

A Red Devil fan tweeted: "Did he just say challenge?" That means it's United. I do not think there's any bigger challenge in world football than playing for United. "

Another added: "Man United is right now a challenge … welcome," and a third said: "No bigger challenge than organizing Ashley Young and the rest of our defender Matthijs mate."

A fourth wrote: "Joining United is a challenge! Welcome Matthijs de Ligt !!" and a fifth concluded: "Challenge is equal to United, logic is to Barcelona".