Matthijs de Ligt names ex-Manchester United star as ‘best defender’ he’s ever played with

Matthijs de Ligt has named a former Manchester United star as the best defender he’s ever played with ahead of the club’s tie against Aston Villa.

Manchester United are set to return to Premier League action with an away match against Aston Villa, their seventh game of the league season.

Erik ten Hag‘s squad has faced a tough start, winning only three out of their ten fixtures so far. In their latest match, they squandered a 2-0 lead against FC Porto, ultimately needing a last-minute header from Harry Maguire to secure a 3-3 draw.

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Currently, Manchester United sits 13th in the league standings, while Aston Villa is flying high under Unai Emery, positioned 5th and just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

In their most recent encounter, Villa achieved a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, thanks to a brilliant goal from substitute Jhon Duran.

Ahead of the tie, new United signing Matthijs de Ligt was asked about who he feels has been the best defender he has played with. He answered by naming a player United fans will be very familiar with: Daley Blind.

“I’ve played with so many amazing central defenders,” De ligt told Sky Sports when asked to reflect on his career to date.

“I played with Van Dijk, I played with Chiellini, Bonucci, I played with Upamecano and Kim at Bayern Munich.

“But if I name one where I felt it was the best partnership where together I felt we worked the best it was Daley Blind because I had a really good connection with him.

“I think we complimented each other really well we felt exactly where to go, where we could help the other one and that was still the partnership I think was the best connection together.”

Blind and De Ligt spent several years together at Ajax during the 2018/19 season under Ten Hag. The sie gained international traction after winning the Eredivise and reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

While De Ligt is now at United, his compatriot now plies his trade for La Liga club Girona.

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