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The arrival of Matthijs de Ligt in the summer of 2024 was supposed to strengthen a backline that had leaked goals earlier in seasons.
His signing was also important because he reunited him with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, the coach among whom he enjoyed his best form.
He went from Ajax to Juventus and then to Bayern Munich, and both sets of fans will claim that the 26-year-old never really recaptured the form he showed in Amsterdam.
So coming to Manchester to play under his former coach was meant to accommodate the career of the Center-Back, as well as the Fortuinen of United. It proved anything but.
De Ligt’s Rocky Start
The Red Devils kept leaking goals, and after nine games the Dutch manager was fired and Ruben Amorim came up with a completely different playing style.
The team continued to struggle and it all culminated in a devastating Europa League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. De Ligt also had to share his burden of the criticism.
Former United Treble -winner Jaap Stam Algemeen Dagblad by Sport witness Explained that it is not all the fault of Dutch International.
At United he never had the tools to excel, while the pressure and struggles of the team are all in combination to paint a bad picture of his talents.
Why he didn’t excel
“The tricky thing about United is that it is difficult to see what defenders are expected. It is often an impasse. The conditions for excel Excel have not really been created.
“You can’t really talk about potential anymore. Matthijs is smart and mature and should now be an important player. I sometimes miss the confidence in defense and in the structure he had at Ajax.
“But I am sure he still has that. Sometimes you are uncertain because of what is happening for you. I know that feeling. Always cover for you and the same thing expects in exchange but not get it.”
Although the 20-times English competition champions have only four points of three games this season, there are clear signs of improvement.
Change things
And as a result, even Matthijs de Ligt looks much more secure, with the defender enjoying his best outing in a red shirt against the Gunners.
Stam agreed and explained that if the team continues to do well, the center-back will continue to excel and who knows, we can see the Ajax version of the player return.
“Against Arsenal, Matthijs was traditionally strong and accurate. He is a fantastic defender who continues. I hope he will continue this trend, and we will see the old Matthijs again.”
Feature Image Michael Regan Via Getty Images
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