After marking only his second Manchester United start with a goal against Southampton, Matthijs de Ligt came out with a stat which might explain his recent inconsistency.
This was, the former Bayern Munich defender said, ‘the first time in about five months that I’ve played three games in a row’.
With that in mind, perhaps the mistakes he made during the international break – the Netherlands beating Bosnia but drawing with Germany in the UEFA Nations League – can be contextualised somewhat.
A fully match fit and match sharp Matthijs de Ligt might not switch off at the back post. Or, perhaps, give away possession so easily in his own half.
And De Ligt’s performance during Manchester United’s 3-0 win at St Mary’s, like that of fellow goalscorer Marcus Rashford, was one in the eye for his critics.
Handed the Man of the Match award by TNT Sports after opening the scoring at one end with a towering header and keeping Southampton off the scoresheet at the other with some fine blocks and valuable clearances, the £38 million Dutchman showed, albeit against limited opposition, why Erik ten Hag was so keen to reunite with a defender he once tipped to become the world’s best.
Matthijs de Ligt guides Manchester United to victory
Rio Ferdinand, a legendary centre-half in his own playing days, insists out that De Ligt still has some improvements to make. He was skinned in the penalty area at one point as Southampton flew out of the blocks.
But after settling down and getting up to the speed of things, United’s new number four was nothing short of imperious until he limped off late on with a bit of cramp.
“I think he needs games. Listen, he had a moment even in that game, Kyle Walker-Peters moved him up a bit out wide,” the former England international says on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
“But what I noticed, I actually went to the training ground the other day and I spent the whole day there. He came over and we spoke a little bit. You can see he’s got a good energy. Eager to be there, eager to get into the assignment, understands the assignment at Manchester United.
“He’s been at big clubs. He understands what it’s like, the pressure. He is excited to be part of the new, kind-off, Man United under new Ineos management.”
Rio Ferdinand impressed with new signing
De Ligt, who joined alongside former Ajax and Bayern team-mate Noussair Mazraoui, only turned 25 in August.
He has already made over 300 appearances for four of the biggest and most expectant clubs on the continent, however, spending three years at Juventus before moving to Bavaria in 2022.
Ferdinand can envisage De Ligt, who became the youngest captain in Ajax’s history on Ten Hag’s watch, becoming a totemic figure in a Man United side that has arguably been lacking players capable of leading by example.
“I am interested to see how he does,” Ferdinand, the 2008 Champions League, winner adds. “Because I can sense a leadership kind-off role there for him, someone who can influence over people as well.
“He just needs games. I don’t think he’s played enough games over the last couple of years. I just don’t think there’s been a consistency of performance as well.
“You need to remember; 18 years old, he went to the semi-final of the Champions League (and was) billed as a top, top player.”
Ten Hag may opt to rest De Ligt against Barnsley in Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie before handing him another start alongside Lisandro Martinez away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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