October 5th 2024.
Matthijs de Ligt hasn't had the easiest start to his career at Manchester United. Despite joining the Red Devils from Bayern Munich, where he had previously played for some of Europe's top clubs, the 25-year-old has struggled to find his footing. However, he recently made headlines for a different reason - his comments about the best defender he has ever played with.
In a surprising move, de Ligt chose to snub some big names like Virgil van Dijk and Leonardo Bonucci and instead named a former Manchester United star as his top choice. The Dutchman revealed that he believes the best partnership he has had was with Daley Blind, another fellow Dutchman who he played with at Ajax and Bayern Munich, as well as at the international level.
"I've been fortunate enough to play with many amazing central defenders," de Ligt said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I played with Van Dijk, Chiellini, Bonucci, Upamecano, and Kim at Bayern Munich. But the partnership that really stood out for me was with Daley Blind. We had a great connection and complemented each other's strengths very well."
This revelation may come as a surprise to some, given that Blind only had a short stint at Manchester United and didn't always perform at his best during that time. However, de Ligt's words highlight the strong bond and understanding between the two players on the pitch.
In the Premier League, de Ligt's performances have been criticized by former players like Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher. He has also faced competition for his spot in the Netherlands national team under manager Ronald Koeman. However, his former Ajax coach, Erik ten Hag, is confident that de Ligt will bounce back from this rough patch.
"I know Matthijs and he's a great personality," Ten Hag said. "He will overcome this and bounce back with the Dutch squad. It's not a reflection of his abilities, and I have no doubt that he will prove himself once again. He's a fighter and I believe in him."
Ten Hag also pointed out that de Ligt's pre-season was challenging, as he didn't get enough game time due to injuries. But once he is fully fit and in rhythm, he will show his true qualities as a top defender.
Despite the criticism and doubts surrounding him, de Ligt remains determined to prove himself at Manchester United. He is confident that with his hard work and the support of his coaches and teammates, he will soon find his form and silence his critics. As for his partnership with Blind, it remains to be seen if they will have the opportunity to reunite on the same team once again.
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