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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 combined 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De Ligt arrived at Outdated Trafford from Bayern Munich in the summertime of 2024.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 12 months in 2019.
The Dutchman left the Johan Cruyff Enviornment that summer season 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 have 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 fingers, and as issues stand, their resolution has already been vindicated.
A rock on the again this season
De Ligt was a part of the crew that struggled final season, ending fifteenth within the Premier League desk and shedding the Europa League remaining 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Nonetheless, with a full pre-season behind him, the 26 yr previous appears to be like again to his finest.
Till the draw in opposition to West Ham United, De Ligt had performed each minute of each Premier League recreation 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
MetricValue
Appearances13
Goals1
Goals1
Anticipated Targets (xG)1.46
Anticipated Assists (xA)0.77
Pictures on Goal (Contained in the Field)5
Touches in Opposition Box18
Crosses (Accomplished %)5 (80%)
Passes (Accomplished %)612 (88%)
Lengthy Passes (Accomplished %)44 (48%)
Minutes Played1,170
Dribbles (Accomplished %)2 (50%)
Duels Won74
Aerial Duels Won50
Whole Tackles19
Interceptions15
Blocks7
Pink Cards0
Yellow Cards0
Fouls6
Supply: Premier League web site.
It’s no marvel, then, that the Dutchman was adjudged the membership’s Participant 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 12 months Nemanja Vidic.
Vidic hails De Ligt
Talking on CBS Sports activities Golazo, Vidic harassed the significance of a great backline in a crew’s success.
“I truthfully consider that the defenders carry the trophies as a result of in the event you take a look at the statistics prior to now 10, 15, 20 years, you will note that the crew that concede the least targets win the trophies,” mentioned Vidic.
“I feel that’s necessary. I feel this season, Man United, some video games they play nicely on the again, however in some video games, they concede a couple of targets.”
The Serbian defender went on to call De Ligt because the membership’s finest 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 recreation and [are] then taking part in this season a lot better,” mentioned Vidic.
“De Ligt is, I feel, the most effective participant on the again for Man United. So, I feel consistency is the important thing. If you wish to play for Man United, it’s important to carry out week in, week out. , you can not afford to have one good recreation and two dangerous video games.”
Vidic cast 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 document 1,311 minutes with out conceding a purpose. As such, the previous United skipper’s endorsement underlines how necessary 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 could possibly be an enormous blow for United, particularly with Maguire additionally sidelined via harm.
In the meantime, with the Englishman out of contract on the finish of this season and already in his thirties, De Ligt appears to be like like the brand new chief on the again for United. If the Dutchman continues his present kind, he might play a key position within the Pink Devils’ return to their glory days.
Featured picture Michael Regan through Getty Photographs
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