Matthijs de Ligt was one of five major signings brought to Manchester United by Ineos in the summer transfer window.
In an attempt to back Erik ten Hag as manager, Ineos spent £180m on five signings in the summer.
However, Ten Hag was sacked just a few months into the season, and Manchester United and Ineos chose to start from square one again under Ruben Amorim.
Ineos have changed United’s transfer strategy following a decade of poor recruitment – under new ownership signings have been younger with high ceilings rather than ready-made stars.
So far, Ineos have been flawless with recruitment and one signing proving his critics wrong is Matthijs de Ligt.
The three Matthijs de Ligt concerns at Man United
After United signed the Dutch defender for £42m, Paul Scholes heavily criticised De Ligt, suggesting he wasn’t good enough to play for the club.
However, De Ligt has impressed under Ruben Amorim and he has been proving his critics wrong with a strong run of form.
According to The Telegraph, United’s data model highlighted three concerns around De Ligt’s game before he joined from Bayern Munich.
They claim a series of data checks allayed concerns over “his injury record, pace and mobility.”
De Ligt’s injury record was a worry before he arrived in England, but since his move he has only missed two Premier League matches.
Amorim has played deeper for De Ligt, with the United coach explaining that both he and Harry Maguire suit a low block. But the Dutchman has still shown signs of pace that prove he can cut it in the Premier League.
Matthijs de Ligt could be a future Man United captain
Despite being just 25 years old, De Ligt has an extraordinary portfolio of clubs having played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich before joining United.
De Ligt has a contract at United until 2029 so he still has years in front of him to continue improving, but Amorim is already a big fan.
Amorim has been blown away by De Ligt, with the United boss claiming he is doing “incredible things” for the side currently. De Ligt suits Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, and he has nailed down his spot as the right centre-back.
“I think the last three weeks, Matthijs is doing incredible things,” Amorim said, and De Ligt will be relied upon again in the upcoming Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
United’s recruitment has rightly been criticised over the past decade but in De Ligt, Ineos have signed a potential future captain.
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