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This season Matthijs de Ligt is leading the way for Premier League Center backs in one important statistics and explains why Ruben Amorim is such a fan of the Manchester United star.
Aggressive defenders/H5>
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation is the subject of much controversy since the Portuguese coach arrived in Old Trafford last November to replace Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils continue to struggle to perform the system of their head coach on the field, despite last season improvements.
One of the fundamental areas that Amorim trusts to make the setup work is that the outer center halves in the back three to push and support the pivot in midfield, which can easily be overloaded by the opposition.
Most parties in Europe’s top five divisions, especially in the Premier League, play with a midfield with three men.
This means that United’s Pivot, normally consisting of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, often has to deal with a numerical disadvantage in the middle of the field.
But if the RCB or LCB steps to midfield to support their teammates, this is leveling the playing field and helps to switch on the opposition with a proactive high line.
It is a unique tactic that depends on aggressive center-backs and extensive work in training to effectively implement on the field. Players can also go badly to lose duels, because it exposes the team to fast transitions.
And it is this requirement – dominant defenders who are able to consistently win the ball – and that is why De Ligt has shown United this year.
Lead the competition
According to Data Mob-a leading website for statistics, no other center-back in the Premier League this season won more defensive duels than De Ligt.
The Dutch international is in first place with 23 duels with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey in second place with 20.
š³š±āļø No center-back has won more defensive duels this season than Matthijs de Ligt in the Premier League
ā 23 – Matthijs de Ligt
ā 20 – Calvin Bassey
ā 17 – Joachim Andersen
ā 17 – Ibrahima KonatĆ©
ā 16 – Maxime EstĆØveš https://t.co/MCR5ZRPKTO pic.twitter.com/oqulinnunn
– Datamb (@datamb_) September 21, 2025
De Ligt was imperious in Old Trafford last night, when United fought for a much-needed 2-1 victory over Chelsea in heavy rain.
Although club captain Bruno Fernandes scored his 100th goal for the Red Devils, it was the 26-year-old defender who stole the show with a brilliant representation where he consistently booms the Chelsea attack.
Matthijs de Ligt’s Game by Numbers vs. Chelsea:
86% Pass accuracy
67 Total touches
8 goes in the last third part
4 clearance
4 Tackles
2 interceptions
2 crosses
1 ChanceColos. šŖØ pic.twitter.com/uljfmamegf
– Statman Dave (@statmandave) September 20, 2025
Tweet: āThe game of Matthijs de Ligt on songs versus Chelsea: 86% Pass accuracy 67 Total branches 8 passes in the end third; 4 clapians; 4 Tayles; 2 interposses; 2 crosses; 2 crosses [and] 1 chance. Colos. ‘
This is the precisely Type of performance Amorim has from its players: aggressive urgent and non -repellent working speed to suffocate the opposition. De Ligt was central to this approach yesterday and corresponded to an excellent series of individual form that his teammates largely have trouble matching this season.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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