Manchester United have made a mixed start to the season but one player has stood out as a strong performer throughout.
After losing the Manchester derby, Ruben Amorim demanded aggression from his players against Chelsea and he got exactly that.
Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 in an action-packed Premier League clash, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro on the scoresheet.
The call for aggression was taken too literally when Casemiro received a red card in the first half, but it was followed by an impressively resilient performance.
Leading United’s resilient defence was Matthijs de Ligt.
Matthijs de Ligt praised for performance vs Chelsea
De Ligt has become undroppable in Amorim’s starting XI this season after making a very strong start to the 2025/26 campaign.
The Dutchman, who was signed by United for £38 million last summer, has been pivotal in the heart of the three-man defence, while also spending spells on the right side of the three.
United fans raved about De Ligt’s performance against Chelsea, and he has also attracted praise from journalist Henry Winter on X.
“Manchester United paid £38m and he’s finally showing his undoubted quality this season, his Ajax quality, his physical presence and leadership, his tackling, intercepting, clearing and passing. Another big performance,” Winter wrote about De Ligt.
Matthijs de Ligt is becoming a leader at Man United
It is easy to forget that De Ligt is only 26 years old and yet is already a mainstay in United’s team and one of the leading figures in the squad.
While De Ligt is not in Amorim’s six-man leadership group, his quality on the pitch has shone through this season.
The Netherlands international has cemented his place in the starting XI ahead of Harry Maguire, while his versatility means they can also partner each other in defence.
Amorim needs characters and players who can handle the big occasion, and De Ligt fits the profile.
He is entering his prime years at United, and he has the potential to continue improving.
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