Manchester United icon and ex-Netherlands international Jaap Stam has urged Matthijs de Ligt to bring back one key trait he showed during his time at Ajax.
It has been a mixed start to the season for Manchester United, who have only won one of their opening four games.
But there have been some promising performances, and Matthijs de Ligt is one of the players who have impressed with his displays.
The Dutch defender was nominated for the club’s Player of the Month award for August, which Bryan Mbeumo eventually won.
It is clear that De Ligt is preferred to Harry Maguire as the central centre-back in Ruben Amorim’s back three system, although there are some parts of his game which can be improved.
Stam urges De Ligt to bring back key trait he showed at Ajax
De Ligt is a brilliant defender inside the box, constantly trying to read situations and make important blocks. That is a standout part to his game.
The defender makes safe passes in possession, but ex-United centre-back Jaap Stam believes that De Ligt can be more confident in those moments and have a bigger role in the build-up.
He suggested that the 26-year-old has already shown his ability to do this at Ajax when he was younger, but he has moved towards the basics since then.
“You can’t really talk about potential anymore. Matthijs is smart and mature and should be a key player by now. I sometimes miss the confidence in defence and in the build-up that he had at Ajax,” Stam told Algemeen Dagblad.
“But I’m sure he still has that. Sometimes you’re insecure because of what’s happening in front of you. I know that feeling. Always covering for you and expecting the same in return but not getting it.
“Then he goes back to the basics, even though he’s a fantastic defender who keeps going. I hope he continues this trend, and we’ll see the old Matthijs again.”
De Ligt confidence in build-up would be useful at United
The main aspect which allows Maguire to properly challenge De Ligt for that defensive role is his willingness on the ball. Maguire will look to switch the play out wide or fire a pass into midfield more often than the Dutchman.
Stam clearly believes that De Ligt can offer those kind of passes too, and it would be useful for United if he was able to bring this into his game more.
Amorim’s system relies on the defenders a lot in the build-up and De Ligt is sometimes found in zones slightly higher up. Improved ball-playing would help him in this aspect.
Even right now, he is one of United’s more impressive players, but this could make him even more important to Amorim’s side.
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