Ruben Amorim is focusing on creating a spine for his next world-class Man Utd team, and one man’s display against Chelsea reaffirmed that he will be a bona fide part of it.
The 2-1 win against Chelsea calmed the noise around Man Utd for a while, helped by Robert Sanchez seeing red mist within the first 10 minutes.
Casemiro’s sending off complicated things, but, for once, United didn’t collapse after a setback and saw through the game for a much-needed win.
Mbeumo was a livewire, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro scored, but it was another player entirely who flew under the radar, who is Ruben Amorim’s next world-class player.
Ruben Amorim’s latest undroppable is Matthijs de Ligt
Chelsea were under the cosh for most of the first half, and most of their possession in the second half was sterile, so Man Utd’s defenders flew under the radar.
However, Matthijs de Ligt deserves special mention because this was no ordinary centre-back performance from the Dutchman.
De Ligt was shifted away from his natural central position in the back three and tasked with running the wide channels as the right-sided centre-back.
It was an extremely demanding role for a centre-back who doesn’t have the raw pace to dominate both boxes, but against Chelsea, he did.
His forward runs created overloads down the right, helping Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui pin Chelsea back.
From there, he ran back with a manic desire to defend his own box, getting his foot and head at the end of various Chelsea passes to kill off their attacks.
It was a clinic in playing as a wide centre-back in a back-three, and De Ligt ensured he’s now an undroppable in Ruben Amorim’s XI.
De Ligt returning to world-class levels
It is easily forgotten just how good De Ligt was, just because United have struggled since his signing, and he’s already been sold by multiple top clubs.
De Ligt was compared to Franz Beckenbauer when he was breaking through at Ajax, and fans of both Bayern and Juventus were sad to see him leave.
The malaise of Old Trafford threatened to engulf him in his debut season, but he has started this one like a man on a mission.
He has re-emerged as the leader who once took Ajax by storm as a teenager, and getting used to the physicality of English football has unlocked another level to his game.
Sometimes, the next world-class player can be the one you had all along. De Ligt returning to those levels is a prime example of that phenomenon.
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