Manchester United spent £42 million on Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt last summer, reuniting him with one-time Ajax manager Erik ten Hag until his dismissal in late October.
Naturally, moving to a new country is daunting for any player. The prospect of learning a new language or a new league has its pitfalls, so when the man who brought you to the club departed, it could make this transitional period even harder.
Fortunately, despite injury, thanks to a steely determination and notable mental strength, that was not the case for De Ligt.
Ruben Amorim’s November arrival signalled the dawn of his new system with three central defenders. Although there were ample concerns about many square pegs in round holes, De Ligt has previously played this role for club and country and often excelled.
While many of his teammates struggled to adjust to the Portuguese philosophy and the demands of this intricate system, the Dutchman took to it like a duck to water, and his stock grew with each passing display.
Matthijs de Ligt | From Ajax to the heart of Manchester United
First and foremost, Matthijs de Ligt is a natural leader who burst onto the scene at just 17 years old, playing a critical role in the Ajax side that reached the semifinals of the Champions League in the 2018-19 season.
Deservedly, he won the Golden Boy award in 2018, like his compatriot and ex-Ajax player Rafael Van der Vaart, becoming the only defender to win the prestigious title.
His advancements earned a move to Juventus in 2019 for €75 million, where he won a Serie A title, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa. Three years later, he arrived in Germany to team up with Bayern Munich for €67m, claiming the Bundesliga title and Supercup in both seasons at the club.
Every player takes time to adapt to a new team and league, but De Ligt slowly emerged as one of the more consistent performers in the team throughout a forgettable campaign.
Despite much apprehension, he and Noussair Mazraoui, who also arrived from Bayern, have become firm favourites amongst the Old Trafford faithful.
The domineering defender is still only 25, which is surprising to most, as he excelled early in his career.
You’d be forgiven for thinking he is older, given his natural leadership qualities and perennial presence on the European stage. But, make no mistake, he offers undeniable experience, which United have sorely lacked in the last few years.
A commanding presence and willingness to put his body on the line will always win over fans. Furthermore, his ability on the ball is a great asset for this new system and is much appreciated by Ruben Amorim.
Although the team struggled while learning a new way of playing, dealing with injuries, suspensions and fatigue, De Ligt was a constant throughout this season until his unfortunate injury in April.
However, the biggest compliment you can pay him is the emergence of individuals talking him up as a potential United captain in the future.
It is imperative to remember that successful teams possess many leaders, so having him and Bruno Fernandes is a good start for the future.
Playing for four of the biggest sides in the world, Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and now Manchester United, assures you are no stranger to pressure. At 25, he plays with the assured air of a defender in his 30s.
Amorim’s 3-4-3 is taking time to become successful in Manchester. However, he has a player in De Ligt whom he can rely on to settle the defence and set the tone for the team going forward.
I believe the Dutchman will play a crucial role heading into the new season, supplementing his part in helping guide younger players like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as they come into the team very early, just as he did with Ajax.
At Juventus, he played with the legendary duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, so he will know how it feels to be in their shoes.
Despite suggestions about who signed off on his deal, the Leiderdorp native is showing himself as one of the best signings of the Ineos reign through reliability, value for money and the potential to get better in the future.
How do you feel about Matthijs de Ligt in the North West, and could he be a future Manchester United Captain?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
(Primary photo by Craig Thomas/News Images via depositphotos.com)
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