Matthijs de Ligt names reasons for good form after praise from Man Utd legend

Matthijs de Ligt feels there are two key reasons behind his impressive form for Manchester United, after earning praise from Rio Ferdinand.

The 26-year-old has started all 11 of the Red Devils’ Premier League matches this season and has been hailed as one of their best performers.

Manchester United are still not where they want to be, but undefeated in five games and climbing to seventh in the table is progress under Ruben Amorim.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United and England centre-back said of the Dutchman: ‘De Ligt has been our best defender this season, he is even adding goals for us, like the last-minute goal [against Tottenham] the other day.

‘But in terms of his press, he’s assertive and has the willingness to go into foreign areas of the pitch to defend at the right times. His clearing out of his box is brilliant.’

De Ligt has immense experience after his spells with Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich, while racking up over 50 caps for Netherlands, but he is still a young man.

He feels that he is only now reaching his peak years, which explains a step up in form after something of an underwhelming first season at Old Trafford.

‘I’m 26 now and, I think, I’m entering the best years of my career, both physically and mentally,’ De Ligt told NOS Sport. ‘I’ve changed my mindset. Initially, I didn’t want to make mistakes, now I want to do as many good things as possible.’

He added on his good form that a string of fitness issues are behind him, saying: ‘There are a few explanations for that. I’ve had quite a few injuries in recent years, which took a toll on my confidence in my body.

‘This year, I was able to participate in the entire pre-season. I know the club and the league better, and you feel more confident and can be more dominant.

‘I’m actually doing more strength training again now. Just like I used to. So I don’t care about that kind of criticism anymore. Although I did a few years ago. But I’ve been through a lot and now know what’s good for me. I won’t be deviating from that anytime soon.’

‘He’s calmer now’

His return to form is illustrated by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman recalling him to the international squad having missed out earlier this season.

‘He didn’t look confident in his play, and I told him so. He’s calmer now, and I felt I should include him again,’ Koeman said of the defender’s return.

‘We’re improving as a team’

De Ligt has also hailed his relationship with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, saying their direct style of communication suits them both.

‘I have a good relationship with him [Amorim] because he’s quite direct and I am quite direct with him,’ the Dutchman told The Telegraph. ‘It’s about honesty and also in honesty you can say things that are sometimes not so good and you accept that also, you know, because it’s the only way.

‘Communication and clarity is the most important thing in a team. We’re improving as a team.’