Manchester United defender Matthijs De Ligt has endured a tough international break, challenging his form and fitness under the scrutiny of Erik ten Hag. The 25-year-old center-back, who transferred from Bayern Munich to Old Trafford for €45 million (£38.4m) this summer, has made three appearances for United so far. However, his recent performance has raised serious questions.
Challenges During the International Break
De Ligt recently played for the Netherlands in the Nations League against Germany, a match that did not go well for the defender. The former Ajax star was replaced at half-time after being involved in both goals scored against the Netherlands in the first half. Dutch media site Football Oranje.com gave him a 5/10 rating and remarked that he made errors leading to goals, which led to his substitution early in the second half.
“Was given another chance but again made an error that led to a goal before being substituted early in the second half,” Football Oranje.com remarked. “He cannot continue making errors like this.”
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman explained his decision to substitute De Ligt at half-time was to protect him. “Of course, I would rather have kept him on the pitch,” Koeman told Dutch broadcaster NOS. “It just looks like he is in a period where all his mistakes are being punished. I gave him another chance today, but eventually, I protected him by taking him off.”
Continuing Struggles and Critiques
De Ligt’s difficulties were not isolated to this match alone. During their 5-2 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, De Ligt made similar mistakes. Koeman addressed these issues in a Monday press conference before their 2-2 draw against Germany. “He did not get his footwork right. It was a bad individual moment for a defender. You have to learn from that, it is clear that these kinds of moments need to be improved. But we should not be dramatic about it and put too much emphasis on it,” Koeman said.
This period of challenging performances comes at a critical time for De Ligt. Having joined Manchester United recently, he is under intense scrutiny to justify his transfer fee and prove his worth. Erik ten Hag now faces the tough decision of whether to continue relying on the underperforming defender or to seek alternative solutions to bolster United’s defense.
The article further elaborates on how this situation mirrors past challenges faced by De Ligt and other defenders in high-pressure environments, drawing comparisons and lessons from those instances to make sense of his current struggles. It also delves into how De Ligt’s role at United can adapt to mitigate his mistakes and improve his overall performance.
As Manchester United looks ahead, the article emphasizes the importance of robust defensive strategies and player support systems to navigate through such challenging periods. Erik ten Hag’s next steps could significantly impact the team’s defensive solidification and overall performance in the upcoming fixtures.
