Manchester United, in the last 12 or 13 years, haven’t been a club where a player comes and rediscovers his best form, but one player, compared to Franz Beckenbauer early in his career, is bucking the trend.
Franz Beckenbauer comparisons are as good as it gets for any player, for he was one of the most influential and legendary players in football history.
If a player was compared to him before he joined Man Utd, then common logic would dictate that he would lose all his ability once he walked through Old Trafford.
Not this player, though, and against Liverpool, he solidified the thought that he’s unleashing his best form, rekindling comparisons to the legendary German.
The curious case of Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt has had quite an eventful and circuitous career in football by most standards.
He arguably peaked at 18/19, when he was the captain of Ajax, winner of the Golden Boy award, the apple of the eye of the whole of Europe, and earning comparisons to Franz Beckenbauer.
Since then, he went on a league title-capturing tour with Juventus and Bayern Munich, but when Man Utd signed him, questions arose – why are elite clubs letting him go?
Were United signing another “washed” player who was coming to Old Trafford for a big paycheque after peaking early in his career?
His debut season in England did nothing to quash those claims, nor did his reduced role with the national side.
The 2025/26 season needed to be a season of redemption for him. It didn’t even need him back to his world-class best, just a return to form to make him a reliable option for United.
However, what has happened this season is beyond anyone’s expectations.
De Ligt rekindling Franz Beckenbauer comparisons
A major reason why De Ligt gained Beckenbauer comparisons is that he combined a slick style of play with quintessential leadership qualities ingrained in him.
This season, United have been the beneficiaries of both those traits, as De Ligt has started this season like a man possessed.
He’s determined to reset the narrative around him by putting in one irresistible performance after another, despite the club not having the best start to the season.
De Ligt has been among the best players at the club this season, and his domination at Anfield just confirmed the thought that had been building up already.
Not only is he resetting the narrative around him, but he is also rekindling those early-career comparisons to Franz Beckenbauer.
He has proven that “United are a black hole for talent” is not true. The fact is that only the mentally strongest survive in this cauldron.
De Ligt is no longer just surviving; he is thriving. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the club captain in the future.
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