Matthijs de Ligt claims Manchester United star has “all the tools” to become a Premier League great

Matthijs de Ligt knows a thing or two about dealing with the pressures of defending and has offered advice to a “great” Manchester United starlet during his early years at the club.

Matthijs de Ligt has been one of Manchester United’s best signings in recent seasons, and under Rúben Amorim, has been thriving in the new system.

De Ligt was signed for around £38 million from Bayern Munich to add to Erik ten Hag‘s defence, but his opening performances left something to be desired.

However, in Amorim’s new back three, he has played as the middle centre-back and has been fantastic in the position, and many expect him and 19-year-old Leny Yoro to form a formidable partnership across the next few seasons.

Yoro himself was only signed a month before De Ligt for a fee of just over £50 million from Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille, with United beating off Real Madrid for his signature in a shock transfer.

De Ligt heaps praise on Yoro’s abilities

De Ligt is very much growing into a leadership role at United, and speaking to club media, he was asked what he’s made of Yoro since the youngster returned from a four-month foot injury.

“I think he’s a really great talent,” De Ligt explained, before going on to mention that he feels Yoro has the tools needed to become a great at Old Trafford and in the Premier League.

“He has a lot of the tools to become a really good modern defender. He’s fast, good with the ball, quick, tall, good in headers.

“He’s now back from injury and I think it’s really important for the team to get lots of options because the schedule is hectic, so we have to use everybody.

“It’s really nice that he’s here and hopefully I can help him with some experience that I had at his age, because I also had this experience at this age. I really want to help him become as good as possible, because I think he has a lot of potential.”

De Ligt offers some advice that Yoro should listen to

De Ligt’s rise to prominence came at around the same age that Yoro is now, where the Dutchman was made club captain of AFC Ajax and guided the Eredivisie side to a famous Champions League semi-final and domestic league and cup double in 2019.

Asked what kind of advice he has been giving to Yoro, the 25-year-old said he should be focused on the mental side of the game.

“He has all the tools to become an amazing defender, [so] I think it’s mental,” he said.

“What I would give to him as advice is to always stay close to himself and to try to learn. That’s really important for a young player. You can’t be so focused on winning that you’re not improving as a player anymore.

“I think with this trainer [Ruben Amorim], he gives a lot of attention to that. He gives young guys chances, but also sometimes pushes them a little bit back to let them improve in training. I think he’s in a really good place with a really good staff to improve in the best way.”

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