Matthijs de Ligt’s career has taken an interesting turn, as he joins Manchester United as his fourth major European club at the age of 25. The Dutch defender was once considered one of the hottest prospects in European football, captaining Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals at the age of 19. United were among the clubs vying for his signature, but he ultimately joined Juventus for £67.5m, becoming the most expensive defender in Serie A at the time. However, his time in Italy was mixed, and he joined Bayern Munich in 2022 for £65.6m. Despite playing 73 games for the German club, he failed to make the expected impact and found himself on the bench for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
Now, De Ligt is hoping that his move to Old Trafford will reignite his career and help solve United’s defensive issues. He joins former Ajax teammates Andre Onana, Antony, and Lisandro Martinez at the club. However, he faces tough competition from Harry Maguire and Martinez for a starting spot in the center-back position. With the recent injury to Leny Yoro, De Ligt’s signing becomes even more significant for United’s defensive depth. BBC Sport’s Simon Stone suggests that De Ligt and Maguire will be fighting for the starting spot until Yoro returns from injury.
So, what went wrong for De Ligt at Juventus and Bayern Munich? Stone explains that although he was highly regarded when he joined Juventus, he still had a lot to learn at the age of 19. Joining a club with an established defensive pairing in Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, as well as the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, presented challenges for De Ligt. His positional sense with the ball at his feet and tracking opponents were exposed in the technical Serie A. Additionally, concentration issues arose, affecting his performances and the overall confidence of the club.
Similarly, at Bayern Munich, De Ligt faced criticism as the team struggled and lost the Bundesliga title. Constantine Eckner, a Germany football expert, notes that De Ligt initially struggled to impress but showed promise during the second half of the 2022-23 season. However, tensions arose between De Ligt and manager Thomas Tuchel, with the Dutchman demanding a regular starting role. The arrival of new manager Vincent Kompany further complicates De Ligt’s position, as he sees Dayot Upamecano as his first-choice center-back.
As De Ligt joins Manchester United, Eckner believes that his potential to be an impressive defender is evident, but he needs to perform consistently and handle setbacks without becoming upset. The pressure and hype surrounding his move from Ajax to Juventus may have affected his performances, and he needs time to rediscover his form. With United’s defensive woes from last season, De Ligt’s arrival could be the answer they need.
Overall, De Ligt’s career has been full of ups and downs, but his move to Manchester United provides a fresh opportunity for him to fulfill his potential. As he competes for a starting spot alongside Maguire and Martinez, he must overcome the challenges he faced at previous clubs and prove himself as a leader and confident defender. Only time will tell if De Ligt can finally find his footballing home at Old Trafford.