Ruben Amorim’s most important Man Utd defender is now obvious, Wes Brown says he’s ‘elite’

Manchester United have more lessons to learn following their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League on the weekend.

It was a game which had major similarities to Manchester United’s last game against Tottenham Hotspur, where they were punished by clinical finishing from defensive lapses.

Ruben Amorim’s side might have edged the game in terms of statistics, but the Cherries pounced on mistakes to win by three goals at Old Trafford for the second time in two years.

The first goal came from a set-piece, where Joshua Zirkzee has to be questioned for his inability to challenge Dean Huijsen in the air.

Noussair Mazraoui then made a needless foul inside the box to give away a penalty for the second goal.

Shortly after that, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes both gifted possession in quick succession, before the defensive line could not mark Antoine Semenyo, who was free inside the box.

The defensive setup looked nervous on the afternoon, as they did away at Spurs on Thursday evening.

De Ligt’s importance to United being shown

Matthijs de Ligt has been absent for both games through injury and might have been the biggest winner from this short period.

The centre-back had started every game for United under Amorim beforehand, and while they were far from perfect, it seemed like there were less individual errors being made in these dangerous areas.

In the middle of the back three, he has been a solid performer and while his passing range is not as good as some of the top defenders in the Premier League, he can defend the box very well.

United’s summer signing will undoubtably come back into the team when he returns from illness, and it is unlikely that he comes out of that back three barring rotation in less important games.

Wes Brown believes De Ligt will get even better

Wes Brown also believes that De Ligt will improve his levels under Amorim and reach an ‘elite’ level at Old Trafford.

Read More: Manchester United’s five things noticed as horrid Erik ten Hag pattern continues under Rúben Amorim vs Bournemouth

The former Bayern Munich defender was tipped to become one of the best defenders in Europe during his younger years, and while that hasn’t panned out so far, he will be hoping to prove Brown right.

Speaking to Casino24.dk, the ex-United player said: “Matthijs de Ligt can be an elite defender for Manchester United. He’s had some really good games and when he settles into life at the club he’ll be a big success.

“He’s been playing at the highest level for so many years now at such a young age and now it’s about showing everyone what he can do at Old Trafford.

“I think he’ll find his rhythm in Ruben Amorim’s system and be a valuable player for many years to come.”

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