As expected, Matthijs de Ligt has all but cemented his place in Manchester United’s starting XI.
The centre-half was pursued in the summer as Erik ten Hag looked to strengthen his ex-Ajax contingent, eventually adding De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to join his former protegees Andre Onana, Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
Initially eased into the action with two appearances off the bench, De Ligt proceeded to start the side’s subsequent three Premier League matches, overseeing a win, a draw and a loss – but keeping two clean sheets.
He opened his account against Southampton on September 14, firing home a superb bullet header from a set-piece to break the deadlock after a cagey first half hour. His contribution then gave United the boost they needed to push on and dominate, in the end securing a 3-0 victory on the road.
De Ligt already proving his worth
De Ligt, who earns a reported £195,000 per week, is already proving to be a ‘huge asset’, according to StatmanDave. That’s because the colossal defender is averaging 1.69 shots per 90 minutes in the top flight – more than any United player recorded across the entirety of last season.
Matthijs de Ligt is averaging 1.69 shots on target p90 in the Premier League this season. That’s more than any Manchester United player averaged last season.
A huge asset in both boxes. 📦 pic.twitter.com/E1fnM6Fift
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 24, 2024
The 25-year-old, along with Martinez, have a significant task at hand when they return to Premier League action on Sunday, with the Reds hosting Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in a 4.30pm kick-off.
