Matthijs de Ligt has spent the past six months working under Ruben Amorim following a change in management at Old Trafford midway through a turbulent campaign.
It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United on the pitch.
The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, after falling short in other cup competitions earlier in the season.
Not only was it the first season in three years that United failed to win a trophy, next year will be the first without European football since 2014/15.
Poor results led to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October, but Ruben Amorim wasn’t appointed until November, and results gradually worsened.
Ineos did not get the results they expected when they appointed Amorim midway through the season, but the trusted United head coach remains convinced he is the man to turn things around at Old Trafford.
Photo by Qin Zhicheng/VCG via Getty Images
Photo by Qin Zhicheng/VCG via Getty Images
Matthijs de Ligt feels he can trust Ruben Amorim
Having spent his entire career playing at clubs deemed the biggest in their respective countries, Matthijs de Ligt is no stranger to the big stage.
The Netherlands centre-back experienced a difficult season at Old Trafford with the team underperforming and uncertainty growing over Andre Onana’s suitability for the Premier League.
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De Ligt previously played for Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
In a new interview with The Athletic, De Ligt explains how he thinks United can improve next season by taking advantage of the free midweeks next season.
The 25-year-old also opened up on his relationship with Amorim, a head coach he already feels he can trust based on how they communicate personally.
“I’ve got a really good relationship with him,” says De Ligt, speaking about Amorim. “He’s really open with me, so it’s really nice to speak with him.
“I’ve experienced many managers. He’s one of the managers. He’s one of the managers who is the most easy to talk to as a player. In the same way, you can also see what he’s doing, what he wants to do with the team.
“I think he wants to build a team of players who are together, especially, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have. Maybe like before, you were United with the best players but you’re not a team. I think that’s really positive. Hopefully, next season, from the pre-season, we can work really strong on that.”
De Ligt was referencing Amorim’s view of United being the worst side in the club’s history when he added: “I’m from Holland, so I like it.
“I can understand that for the media, they’re in shock because they’re like: ‘Normally, this doesn’t happen’ but I think you can also, as a media, be really happy that finally, someone speaks out what he thinks and speaks the truth instead of going around (it).
“I really appreciate him in our conversations personally, how we speak. That gives me a feeling that I can trust him and he can trust me.”
He continued: “I like to see what the manager is doing right now. I’m not speaking into details but I have a feeling he’s really looking at the spots. I’m not speaking about players only but also about the whole culture and the way we are working at the club. I think he’s really into details. Before signing new players, he’s first looking at, ‘what is the culture, what needs to change, what can improve to become a better football club?’. I think from next season, we will see more of that.”
De Ligt sets aim after open-top bus on tour
After such a difficult season for everyone at United, all eyes are already focusing on preparations for next season, which haven’t begun yet.
United will be expected to improve significantly under Amorim. There is also pressure on Ineos to deliver in the summer transfer window.
De Ligt was asked whether the aim for United’s next open-top will be accompanied by major silverware.
He replied: “Yeah, that would be nice.”
United fans will hope it’s the Premier League title.