A Manchester United player has been advised he’s become “a little too heavy” in a surprising evaluation by one of the club’s former coaches.
Ruben Amorim’s team has only gained a point after two games, making it a challenging start to the season. Following a dismal 15th-place result from the previous season, the Portuguese tactician is under pressure, and some of his players are also coming under fire.
A dismal 1-1 draw away to Fulham followed a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford in the season opener. One of Amorim’s players is failing to convince his skeptics, and the team is having trouble putting together a winning streak.
Ex-Man Utd Coach Makes Controversial ‘Heavy’ Claim
Former Sir Alex Ferguson backroom employee Rene Meulensteen (shown left) has shared his thoughts on United and a specific player. He told CoinPoker: “Matthijs de Ligt’s form is concerning because leadership and regular performances are not assured every week. He wasn’t always Ruben Amorim’s first pick because of his numerous injuries from the previous season.
The Dutchman went on to imply that his compatriot’s inconsistency may be partially caused by his weight: “He was a powerful athlete when he initially appeared at Ajax. Despite his naturally powerful frame, I think he has grown a bit too heavy over time, which hasn’t always improved his game. For him, this will be a crucial season.
Matthijs de Ligt, a tough-tackling defender who throws his body into tackles, is one of Amorim’s strongest players. He received a lot of plaudits for his performance in keeping Viktor Gyokeres quiet during United’s season-opening loss to Arsenal.
After that, the 50-cap Netherlands player received criticism for his dubious performance in a 1-1 draw against Fulham. He appeared to be one of two players responsible for Emile Smith Rowe’s equalizer.
The Dutch center-back, who arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich last summer in a £42.9 million transfer, has had a wild ride. Although he regularly plays for Amorim, his fitness hasn’t always been a factor.
After stints at Juventus and Ajax, the 26-year-old journeyman joined United from Bayern. At the Johan Cruyff Arena, he was predicted to become one of Dutch football’s biggest players, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype.
Erik ten Hag, Amorim’s predecessor, signed De Ligt, who became one of Europe’s best defensive players at Ajax. Despite his dismal start at Old Trafford, he has displayed flashes of his defensive prowess under his new head coach.
Was De Ligt Man Utd’s Second Option Last Summer?
During the summer transfer window of 2024, Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton was United’s top target, therefore De Ligt wasn’t the first center back on the team’s radar. The Toffees maintained their £70 million value despite the Red Devils’ two attempts to buy the Englishman, which included offers as high as £50 million plus add-ons.
The 23-year-old has made an impression with steady Premier League performances and is anticipated to establish himself as a staple in England’s national squad for many years to come. In July, he signed a new long-term contract with his boyhood club that will last until 2030, committing his future to them.
That would most likely eliminate Branthwaite’s chances of making a transfer during the remaining days of this window, which ends on Monday, September 1. However, Amorim has players like Harry Maguire, 32, and up-and-coming star Ayden Heaven, 18, to rely upon, so De Ligt is not guaranteed to start.
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