LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester Utd during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 8, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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When Manchester United needed someone to produce deep into stoppage time against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Matthijs De Ligt obliged. The Dutchman got his head on the end of a deep cross to the back post, guiding the ball into the back of the net to salvage a 2-2 draw for the visitors to North London.
It was a long way from being the perfect performance by Ruben Amorim’s team, but it was another sign of a group of players that is learning to dig deep. Previously, United would have folded in such a scenario. On Saturday, though, the team rallied and De Ligt was at the heart of the resurgence.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks with Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United as he applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Signed from Bayern Munich last year, De Ligt arrived at Old Trafford with his potential obvious to anyone who had watched him earlier in his career. The defender was a key part of the Ajax team that included Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek and made the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2018/19 season.
From there, De Ligt joined Juventus before moving on to Bayern Munich. When the Bavarians sold the Dutch international to Manchester United, many believed he was the best natural defender in the squad at the Allianz Arena. That talent has come to the fore in the Premier League this season.
Usually deployed as the centrepiece in Amorim’s back three, De Ligt has played with authority. He has been a steadying presence in a Manchester United backline which is looking stronger as the season progresses. The addition of goalkeeper Senne Lammens has also made a big difference.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on October 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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“I’m 26 now and, I think, I’m entering the best years of my career, both physically and mentally,” said De Ligt when asked about the improvement in his recent performances for Manchester United. “I’ve changed my mindset. Initially, I didn’t want to make mistakes, now I want to do as many good things as possible.”
Amorim’s Manchester United remains a work-in-progress. While the Old Trafford outfit has climbed the Premier League table in recent weeks, going unbeaten in five games since the defeat to Brentford at the end of September, there are still areas where United is weak against the best opponents in the Premier League.
In De Ligt, though, Manchester United has a player who is growing into a leader. The 26-year-old has the makings of the club’s next captain. If this period of Amorim’s tenure is about installing central pillars to build around in the seasons to come, De Ligt is a load-bearing section of the structure.