Even by Manchester United’s standards, the speed in which some of their new signings are being written off is pretty astounding, Matthijs de Ligt chief among them.
Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and the aforementioned centre-half are all being forced to shoulder some of the blame following what is now officially the Red Devils’ worst start to a Premier League season.
All three were dropped from the starting XI during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Matthijs de Ligt helped Andre Onana keep another clean sheet when replacing an injured Harry Maguire at half-time. But, as so many Manchester United players have discovered in recent years, when the narrative is set, even the greatest minds in literature could struggle to re-shape the plotline.
Matthijs de Ligt suffers Manchester United criticism as Jorrel Hato shines at Ajax
Of course, the criticism coming the way of De Ligt should be countered by the fact that, in this Erik ten Hag system, even a peak-era Franco Baresci and Fabio Cannavaro would struggle.
Against both Tottenham and FC Porto – Onana saved Manchester United from another heavy defeat in the Europa League on Thursday night – De Ligt was left exposed by Ten Hag’s flawed, self-defeating tactics and his paper-thin midfield set-up.
But still, given that the consensus is that the former Ajax captain has not really lived up to his potential in recent seasons, a difficult start to life at Old Trafford was always likely to spark such debates about a defender who’s form at both Juventus and Bayern Munich also came under the microscope.
According to Ruud Krol, the legendary Dutchman who has watched De Ligt closely over the years, Manchester United would instead have been better off signing another Ajax academy graduate who rose through the ranks to captain the Dutch giants while still a teenager.
“He can become a great footballer,” Krul tells Tuttosport of rising star Jorrel Hato. “At just 18 years old, he is already a regular at Ajax and has shown an extraordinary talent.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Man United told they should have signed Jorrel Hato
Just two shy of 50 Eredivisie appearances already, the similarities between Hato and De Ligt are obvious.
And Krul may have a point when he labels Hato a signing tailor-made for Man United, given that Ten Hag remains short of cover both at left-back and in the left-sided centre-half role.
Hato, as a natural southpaw, might have been a better tactical fit than a a right-footer who, when Leny Yoro is fit again, may struggle to nail down a regular starting spot in United’s preferred XI.
Links with ex-Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel may concern De Ligt, too, given that he found himself in-and-out of the German’s line-up in the Bundesliga.
Krul also draws comparisons, given their left-footedness and their impressive tactical flexibility, between Hato and Arsenal’s £33 million Italy international Riccardo Calafiori.
“Both are left-footed and know how to play well in the dual role of centre-back and full-back. Today, Calafiori is one of the best in the world in his role,” adds Krol, a two-time World Cup finalist and 1979 Ballon D’Or runner-up.
“If I had been at Manchester United, I would have taken him and not De Ligt.
“Hato is growing, but he has everything to reach those levels. He has excellent technique that allows him to shine even in the build-up phase and he is improving a lot in marking.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
