Matthijs de Ligt has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but he explains that there is something different about Manchester United that doesn’t quite apply to Bayern Munich and Juventus.
Signing for Manchester United in August 2024, Matthijs de Ligt arrived at Old Trafford as a 24-year-old, having failed to reach the lofty expectations he set for himself as an emerging centre-back from the Ajax academy.
De Ligt was Ajax’s first-team captain at 18 and tipped to become one of the game’s best defenders, after becoming the first defender to win the Golden Boy award in 2018.
The highlights of De Ligt’s career include helping Ajax reach the 2019 Champions League semi-final. That led to injury-prone stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich. De Ligt has had numerous injuries at United, but he recently returned to fitness training after undergoing back surgery.
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Man Utd attracts more attention than Bayern Munich and Juventus
De Ligt is approaching two years as a United player.
After signing for United from Bayern Munich, the Dutch defender signed a five-year contract, committing his long-term future to Old Trafford.
De Ligt will be aiming to get back on the pitch in the early stages of the 2026/27 season, especially since he has yet to make an appearance under Michael Carrick due to the injury that ended his previous campaign prematurely.
In an interview with club media, De Ligt explained the difference he notices playing for United in comparison to Bayern Munich and Juventus. He alludes to the amount of attention they get over Bayern and Juve.
“I think it’s the amount of attention on the club is really big,” De Ligt told Manchester United’s YouTube channel.
“Obviously, I’ve been at great clubs, like probably the best clubs in their respective country.
“But the amount of attention this club gets in the world in is something I haven’t experienced yet.”
There will be big questions asked of De Ligt next season if he continues to struggle with injuries. He desperately needs an injury-free season.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Matthijs de Ligt says Manchester United attract more attention than Bayern Munich and Juventus
- De Ligt has been at Old Trafford for almost two years
- De Ligt has yet to make an appearance under Michael Carrick
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Matthijs de Ligt’s final record against Man Utd
During his time at Ajax, De Ligt started in Ajax’s Europa League final defeat against United in 2019.
That night, he became the youngest ever player in a major European Cup final at club level at the age of 17 years and 285 days old.
De Ligt also became the youngest captain in a Champions League knockout match. In February 2019, he captained Ajax against Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
De Ligt captained Ajax against Real Madrid at 19 years and 186 days old.
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