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Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has heaped reward on Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender has come into his personal this season after a blended 2024/25 marketing campaign.
De Ligt arrived at Outdated Trafford from Bayern Munich in the summertime of 2024. A former Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy winner, the Ajax academy product was included within the Champions League Crew of the Yr in 2019.
The Dutchman left the Johan Cruyff Area that summer time to maneuver to Juventus, earlier than becoming a member of Bayern Munich in 2022. Nonetheless, together with his profession failing to pan out as anticipated, the Pink Devils had been offered with the prospect to safe De Ligt’s signature final yr.
It was a suggestion that the Premier League giants took with each arms, and as issues stand, their determination has already been vindicated.
A rock on the again this season
De Ligt was a part of the staff that struggled final season, ending fifteenth within the Premier League desk and dropping the Europa League closing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Nonetheless, with a full pre-season behind him, the 26 yr previous seems to be back to his best.
Till the draw towards West Ham United, De Ligt had performed each minute of each Premier League sport for United this season. He has successfully relegated Harry Maguire to the bench, marshalling the defence from the central centre-back place.
Matthijs de Ligt Premier League Stats: 2025/26 Season
| Metric | Worth |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 13 |
| Objectives | 1 |
| Objectives | 1 |
| Anticipated Objectives (xG) | 1.46 |
| Anticipated Assists (xA) | 0.77 |
| Pictures on Goal (Contained in the Field) | 5 |
| Touches in Opposition Field | 18 |
| Crosses (Accomplished %) | 5 (80%) |
| Passes (Accomplished %) | 612 (88%) |
| Lengthy Passes (Accomplished %) | 44 (48%) |
| Minutes Performed | 1,170 |
| Dribbles (Accomplished %) | 2 (50%) |
| Duels Gained | 74 |
| Aerial Duels Gained | 50 |
| Whole Tackles | 19 |
| Interceptions | 15 |
| Blocks | 7 |
| Pink Playing cards | 0 |
| Yellow Playing cards | 0 |
| Fouls | 6 |
Supply: Premier League website.
It’s no marvel, then, that the Dutchman was adjudged the membership’s Player of the Month for November. He’s additionally the primary defender to win the award since Noussair Mazraoui a yr in the past.
De Ligt’s performances have now drawn reward from two-time Premier League Participant of the Yr Nemanja Vidic.
Vidic hails De Ligt
Talking on CBS Sports Golazo, Vidic pressured the significance of backline in a staff’s success.
“I actually consider that the defenders carry the trophies as a result of in the event you take a look at the statistics up to now 10, 15, 20 years, you will note that the staff that concede the least targets win the trophies,” mentioned Vidic.
“I feel that’s vital. I feel this season, Man United, some video games they play nicely on the again, however in some video games, they concede just a few targets.”
The Serbian defender went on to call De Ligt because the membership’s greatest defender this season.
“So, in the event you take a look at [it] statistically, you’ll say that we nonetheless concede too many targets, however I agree that some gamers improved their sport and [are] then taking part in this season significantly better,” mentioned Vidic.
“De Ligt is, I feel, the very best participant on the again for Man United. So, I feel consistency is the important thing. If you wish to play for Man United, you must carry out week in, week out. You recognize, you can not afford to have one good sport and two dangerous video games.”
Vidic solid a rock-solid partnership with Rio Ferdinand throughout their time collectively at Outdated Trafford and was a part of the backline that helped Edwin van der Sar go a report 1,311 minutes with out conceding a objective. As such, the previous United skipper’s endorsement underlines how vital De Ligt has been for the Pink Devils this season.
Ultimate Ideas
Amorim has already confirmed that De Ligt will miss Monday’s Premier League fixture with a knock. The Dutchman’s absence may very well be an enormous blow for United, particularly with Maguire additionally sidelined by means of harm.
In the meantime, with the Englishman out of contract on the finish of this season and already in his thirties, De Ligt seems to be like the brand new chief on the again for United. If the Dutchman continues his present kind, he may play a key position within the Pink Devils’ return to their glory days.
Featured picture Michael Regan by way of Getty Photographs
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