Matthijs de Ligt is having a breakout season for Manchester United. He is justifying his $10m move this season and making himself indispensable to manager Ruben Amorim. The 26-year-old defender has not missed a minute of the Premier League campaign to date. You don’t see Vermette’s determination and dedication to the team without the sadz (which is sad). His defensive statistics notably increased this season plugging into United’s title winning aspirations this term.
De Ligt is just now entering what most would consider to be the prime years of his career, both physically and mentally. Since coming to Old Trafford, he’s certainly lived up to that potential. Once seen as a promising talent who captained Ajax at just 18 years old, he has now evolved into a stalwart presence in United’s backline. Amorim’s trust in him has become evident, as he frequently occupies the right centre-back position in the team’s three-man defensive setup while being capable of filling in centrally when necessary.
De Ligt’s impressive pre-season is the main reason for his excellent form. After battling injuries in recent years that had affected his confidence, he stated, “This year, I was able to participate in the entire pre-season. I know the club and the league better, and you feel more confident and can be more dominant.” With this confidence came the performances to back it up as he’s become an ever-present in anchoring Manchester United’s defensive plans.
His outstanding play on the pitch earned him strong praise. De Ligt put in a titanic display throughout the tournament’s curtain raising fixture against Arsenal. Even from the team’s loss, he showed the ability to tightly control offensive dynamo Viktor Gyokeres. Amorim raved about the Brazilian’s defensive skills, calling them game-changing. Powerful centre-backs are important to keeping the tempo and pushing it forward past victorious.
“But when we reach a very good point, our three centre-backs will control the tempo and the quality of the game.” – Ruben Amorim
This season has been a huge about face for de Ligt. He fought through the significant injuries that sapped his body, which in turn hampered his confidence. Now, he’s in great form living on a good fitness streak. “I’ve had quite a few injuries in recent years, which took a toll on my confidence in my body,” he reflected. As he starts to move beyond just getting into shape, his back-to-back performances have been noticeably better.
De Ligt’s aggression and tactical awareness have made him an essential part of Manchester United’s defensive plans going forward. He’s one of the best at picking up the game and anticipating attacks from players. This skill has turned him into a reliable fulcrum on defense. Supporters are beginning to grasp his talent. So too are analysts, amazed at why he was once touted to be one of the greatest defenders of the new era of football.
Offsetting his impact as a defender, de Ligt has made an offensive impact. The Welshman had further proven his game-changing offensive ability by scoring a late equalizer against Spurs recently. This dual-threat ability only adds to his criticality to the squad.
With the season now in full swing, Matthijs de Ligt is poised to step into that role. He will aid Manchester United in their quest to reclaim glory both on the domestic front and on the European stage. His ascension started as a young captain at Ajax. Today, he’s a mainstay in United’s defensive back-line, a harbinger of his own personal development and the importance of consistent minutes and encouraging mentors.
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