Football News
Ajax legend slams ‘wild’ Matthijs de Ligt, outlines main problem with Man Utd defender
Manchester United will be quietly confident with the transfer business conducted during the summer transfer window.
Five first-team ready players were brought in, all strengthening key areas for Manchester United, with the centre of defence receiving the biggest overhaul.
Leny Yoro was signed, with the 18-year-old being a massive addition to the club, considering he is seen as a truly generational talent at centre-half.
But after his arrival, Yoro suffered an injury in pre-season and this once again left options lacking which prompted the arrival of a formerly considered generational talent Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
De Ligt has not had an ideal end to life with Erik ten Hag at United, losing two of the opening three games. Now, after a nightmare international break for De Ligt, he has been slammed by an Ajax legend.
Rafael van der Vaart slams Matthijs de Ligt
With the international break done and club football back within 48 hours, fans will be desperate to see United bounce back from defeat to Liverpool by beating Southampton.
One man who will be eager to impress is De Ligt with the defender not having the best opening few games at the club.
But speaking to The Sun, Rafael van der Vaart has now been slamming the player Matthijs de Ligt has become but also praised the quality he is known to have.
“A few years ago I would say 100 per cent, but when he left Ajax, I have to say, I’m a little bit disappointed in his development.
“So I think he is quality. He’s fantastic. He’s a great guy. Works hard for your team, the best, top player but he makes too many mistakes. You also need a little bit of luck, and he is in the phase now that he’s really unlucky. And then he’s a little bit wild.
“He was a little bit too wild [at Ajax]. So that means, going into tackles. And you think, ‘Hey, stay relaxed. Just look how the situation ends.’ And he went to Italy. Then I found out there he’s gonna learn how to defend. But I’m not happy with what I see.”
These criticisms are awful harsh on the Dutchman considering has absolutely shown his quality for Bayern in the past year – although mistakes have also been prominent.
However, they can also be taken as a harrowing warning of the potential downside to signing De Ligt.
For De Ligt, it is absolutely pivotal that his move to Manchester United works out as if it does not things could soon get worse for the Dutchman.
Manchester United need a good performance vs Southampton
After losing 3-0 to bitter rivals Liverpool last time out, a performance and result is needed desperately to avoid this season becoming a write-off just one month in.
Among those who need to improve is De Ligt, with United’s defence already shipping goals far too easily.
It is slightly harsh to blame the defence however when the midfield was hanging them out to dry.
With Manuel Ugarte, hopefully, this changes and United can begin to play the way befitting a club of this magnitude.
A loss to Southampton could be devastating for the team and fanbase, with last season’s eighth-place finish still fresh in the memory.
Related Topics