Matthijs de Ligt has endured nothing short of a turbulent start to 2024/2025 at both club and international level.
The centre-half saw his Manchester United tenure begin somewhat awry after sustaining two defeats in the opening four Premier League matches, with the side looking concerningly reminiscent of how they often performed last season.
Then, when trusted with two consecutive starts by Ronald Koman on Netherlands duty, De Ligt oversaw a double-header of calamitous showings for his nation. In their second outing vs Germany, he was directly at fault for losing possession deep in his own half, with the prolific German attackers able to capitalise and find the back of the net courtesy of his slip-up.
Post-match, Oranje captain Virgil van Dijk weighed in on his teammate’s performance, which led to him being hooked at half-time, and told reporters: “This is football. You have to learn from this. It was one moment, but at the highest level, you will get punished for it.”
De Ligt proceeded to respond in the best way possible by putting in an ‘outstanding’ shift when United returned to Premier League action away to Southampton last Saturday.
Not only did he open the scoring – and his Red Devils account – with a sublime headed goal in the first half, but he also earned himself the Player of the Match award after winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels while recording a 92 per cent passing accuracy, six clearances, four passes into the final third, three touches in the opposition’s box, one interception and two shots on target – per StatmanDave.
De Ligt lauded for response to recent criticism
When relaying his Team of the Week picks to BetVictor, cited by AnfieldWatch, Harry Redknapp said of United’s summer recruit: “Matthijs de Ligt bounced back from a tough international week, some say that Virgil van Dijk threw him under the bus! Well, this Dutchman certainly silenced the critics with a superb goal and a clean sheet!
“Man United needed a result. They were on a real low after being well beaten by Liverpool, and their new signing stepped up to the mark.”
