Manchester United legend questions Matthijs de Ligt’s leadership despite overwhelming evidence

Manchester United are targeting a transfer for Matthijs de Ligt this summer, but his leadership skills have been called into question.

There is no doubt that Manchester United need to secure fresh leadership on the pitch under Erik ten Hag this summer following the departure of Raphaël Varane.

Despite not playing a significant amount of last campaign, Varane’s style on and off the pitch is a character that every dressingroom needs, and with the Frenchman’s contract having expired, a chasm has been left.

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United want to bring in multiple centre-backs this summer, and although it originally looked like the first through the door would be Jarrad Branthwaite, all indications are that this will instead be Bayern Munich enforcer Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt is well known for his leadership and on-the-field presence, but former United striker and club legend Teddy Sheringham has questioned this.

“I don’t know if Matthijs de Ligt would be a good addition to the United defence,” he told Poker Sites. “I think United need some experience in their back line, ideally someone with Premier League experience.

“He’s obviously a very good player, and we all remember him from his time at Ajax, but I don’t think he should be the number one priority at the moment for the club.

“United need strengthening all over the pitch. They need leaders on the field – I can’t believe they weren’t in for either Harry Kane or Declan Rice last year. They don’t need tricky wingers or bit-part players in the club; they need leaders who are going to change the whole ethos of the club and how they approach their games.

“There were a lot of times last season where I thought they were missing that in crucial moments, so they need to go out and sign that calibre of player.”

De Ligt captained Ajax at the age of 19. He is well known to be a player fans are affectionate about, with those at Bayern creating a petition against his sale that has gathered over 15,000 signatures to date.

Ten Hag himself knows just how much of a character and leader De Ligt is, having managed him at Ajax, so calling his leadership into question is bizarre, considering the overwhelming amount of evidence to the contrary.

One quick search online will bring up multiple videos showing De Ligt’s passion and love for defending across all three of his clubs so far. He would be a fantastic fit for United and can fill the exact role Sherringham described.

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