Matthijs de Ligt has finally admitted what Rúben Amorim has been telling Manchester United’s fans about their defence since he joined last year.
Manchester United are unbeaten in five matches, with three victories in that run, and are now waiting to resume their season after the latest international break.
Several of Rúben Amorim’s players have travelled to join their national teams, and Matthijs de Ligt was among them after earning a recall to the Netherlands squad.
Ronald Koeman had frequently overlooked De Ligt for both the lineup and the squad over the past year, although he was practically obliged to select the United defender on this occasion.
De Ligt finally made his first appearance for the Dutch side in more than a season as they beat Lithuania 4–0, playing the full match and keeping a clean sheet alongside Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
De Ligt feels improvement in United’s defence
It’s been just over one year since Amorim was appointed as United’s head coach, and in that time, the team’s defence has been lambasted. Whether it be the resting back-three formation or individual tactics, there have been intense criticisms of the club’s back line.
However, Amorim has been adamant in repeating that, with time, this will improve, and that although his 3-4-2-1 formation starts with a back three and two wing-backs, the players primarily defend with a more traditional back four.
Speaking on international duty, De Ligt was asked if he prefers to play in a back three/five, like at United, or a flat back four, like with the Netherlands.
He replied by explaining that he does not really mind, and in agreement with Amorim, he defended the use of a back five, noting that it is becoming easier due to his growing experience.
“No, I don’t really have a preference,” he told Flashscore. “We play with a five-man defence at Manchester United, but on paper, we defend with four.
“It didn’t feel awkward today; it felt the same as always. I can play in both systems. I’m more experienced with a five-man defence now; the more experience you have, the easier it gets.”
When asked if he feels his return to the Netherlands national side is a bit of a ‘comeback’, he admitted, “Yeah, a bit. I wasn’t here last time, I haven’t started for a long time, so I’m delighted with today. The season is going well so far.
“I’m not sure if you call it a comeback season, but I’m feeling well, and it’s going better with the club, and now I’m rewarded with a start, so that’s great.”
On the possibility of heading to the World Cup, he added: “It’s still far away. It’ll be about being fit a lot, that’s the most important thing to everyone.”
De Ligt has been United’s most consistent player
When the club announced De Ligt’s signing for around £35 million in 2024, it was questioned. The player had so far failed to live up to his Golden Boy potential as a teen with Ajax, bouncing around Europe with Juventus and Bayern Munich before landing at Old Trafford.
But, this season, there is little doubt that the 26-year-old has been the club’s most consistent player in Red.
Bryan Mbeumo has also been fantastic, leading the goalscoring charts with six to his name in 12 games, but De Ligt is the only one of United’s current cohort to have played 90 minutes of all 11 of the club’s Premier League fixtures.
He has himself commented in recent weeks that he feels he is in the fittest shape he has ever been in, and that his understanding as a defender is becoming much more well-rounded, which will only help improve his play over the next few seasons.
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