Rio Ferdinand breaks down how Matthijs de Ligt is Manchester United’s best defender

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Manchester United have had a very strong campaign from the Chelsea game onwards, and at the centre of the positives has been Matthijs de Ligt.

For some players, second-season syndrome can be a bad thing, but for Matthijs de Ligt, it has had the opposite effect as he has found new levels from his first Manchester United campaign.

Having seen himself as almost the second choice for a few months under Ruben Amorim, now De Ligt is involved in everything at United, a claim his head coach made recently

De Ligt is living up to his Franz Beckenbauer potential, having failed to become world-class after leaving Ajax, but that label is not far off for the Dutch central defender.

Now, Rio Ferdinand has issued his verdict.

• READ: Who is Matthijs de Ligt? Meet Manchester United’s new centre-back

Rio Ferdinand hails Matthijs de Ligt for his Manchester United performances

While United’s defensive record needs grand improvement, De Ligt has been one of the Premier League’s best defenders, rarely putting a foot wrong in a back three that has seen some bad moments.

De Ligt was tipped to be the cornerstone for United’s defence, and this prediction has come true. Now, Ferdinand has been discussing United’s number four on his YouTube channel.

“De Ligt’s been our best defender this season”, the legendary Old Trafford centre-back declared. “I think he’s been outstanding for us. He’s even adding goals like the last-minute equaliser the other day.

“But even the press, he’s assertive, his willingness to go into foreign areas up the pitch and at the right times has been good.

“His clearing out of his box has been brilliant.”

De Ligt has been outstanding this season, capable of doing it all without the ball. Against Spurs, De Ligt scored the winning goal, taking a role Harry Maguire usually takes, and in doing so proved he can be a game-winner at both ends.

• READ MORE: Who is Rio Ferdinand? Age, Height, Wife, Children, Net Worth

Where Matthijs de Ligt stands against other Premier League defenders this season

The performances of De Ligt this season have been a real pleasant surprise, having not been completely blown away by his debut year at the club.

The 26-year-old has played every minute of United’s Premier League campaign so far, and in almost every area that a defender needs to excel, he has been impressive.

• 990 minutes played
• 1 goal (80th percentile)
• 0.48 expected assists (85th percentile)
• 87.4% passing accuracy (45th percentile)
• 51% Long ball accuracy (76th percentile)
• 18 tackles (87th percentile)
• 62 duels won (89th percentile)
• 66% duels won (76th percentile)
• 40 aerial duels won (92nd percentile)
• 66% aerial duels won (65th percentile)
• 13 interceptions (87th percentile)

This demonstrates De Ligt compared to his positional peers in the league. However, Ruben Amorim will want De Ligt to improve his passing, with the Portuguese manager wanting the back three to dictate play.