Manchester United’s pre-season tour begins on Saturday with a trip to Sweden to take on historic rivals Leeds United.
This summer was viewed as being a fresh start for Ruben Amorim, after last season was essentially written off.
Despite the hardships during the last campaign, the Manchester United players also seem to be renewed with energy and early signs are positive in pre-season.
Amorim has had plenty of time on the training pitch which was a frequent complaint last season, pointed at as a clear cause of the slow adaptation of the players to the new system.
There have been numerous youngsters fighting to impress Amorim this summer, while new signing Matheus Cunha has blown people away with his ball-carrying and also finishing, both of which are best in club.
Joshua Zirkzee has also impressed, which others have caught the eye for a variety of different reasons.
Matthijs de Ligt showing leadership on the training ground for Manchester United
Pre-season is always a huge opportunity for players to stake a claim for themselves ahead of the new campaign.
This all starts on the training pitch, with every player wanting to be in the starting line-up against Leeds.
Now, Matthijs de Ligt has caught the eye during training for his unsung asset.
According to the official club website, this week has seen De Ligt showcase leadership qualities during training sessions.
In particular, it’s highlighted that De Ligt had been praising his younger teammates and offering support to them during the session, with Radek Vitek named as being on the receiving end.
This quality from De Ligt, proves that United no longer have a leadership problem, something which has been among the club’s main issues for years.
In addition, De Ligt also demonstrated his ability in front of goal, with a finish that any striker would have been proud of according to the inside report.
De Ligt faced major critique when signed last summer, however, ahead of season two he could be ready to properly kick on at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim will love Matthijs de Ligt growing into role
It was not a perfect debut campaign for De Ligt at Manchester United, but there were enough signs to know he is capable of ending up a very good signing for the club.
Turning 26 in August, De Ligt is coming into his prime and showcasing the leadership qualities Amorim needs in defence and has repeatedly requested from his team since taking charge.
De Ligt was tipped to be Europe’s best defender and after a season of bedding in, we need him to step up next season as Harry Maguire won’t be able to start every week due to his age and injury proneness.
De Ligt is the perfect rock for three United wonderkids to emerge alongside in central defence. Additionally, De Ligt’s clinical nature in front of goal appears to be developing, which is another quality that Amorim will be keen to see after Maguire was so dangerous last season.
Signs are good, now De Ligt has to do it in games.
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