Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim arrived in November following Erik ten Hag's departure and his appointment brought with it a change in philosophy
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: PA)
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has insisted that he is currently happy with the direction of travel under head coach Ruben Amorim despite a big change that the Portuguese has implemented.
The 2024/25 season was a difficult one for every United player as the club plummeted down the division and were only saved from a relegation fight by the lacklustre displays of the three newly promoted teams. From a personal perspective, De Ligt has admitted to United's official website that he is happy with the campaign as he returned to regular football and avoided too many injury layoffs.
He was signed last summer by Erik ten Hag but his reunion with the former Ajax coach lasted until October when the Dutchman was sacked and quickly replaced by Amorim. With the ex-Sporting boss' arrival came a change in defensive tact with United switching to a back three system.
On the surface, it may seem like a minor change but De Ligt believes there was a noticeable difference for the players. "For me, personally, obviously going from a two-man defence centre-back to a three-man defence, that's obviously a change," the Dutchman explained.
"So yeah, you change the way you play. The positions look the same but they are still quite different.
"It’s really interesting for me to get this for the first time in my career: a coach who plays this system all the time. I think the more you play in it, the more you get used to it.
"I can also say that, in this system, I have grown a lot as a player, so I am really happy for that. I think I can adapt quick to systems, from what way I have to play, so it was quite okay.
Matthijs de Ligt pictured during Manchester United's post-season tour
Matthijs de Ligt pictured during Manchester United's post-season tour
"In the beginning, it was a little bit different, because we still had to get used to the system, the way we play. Personally, I felt quite comfortable, soon after we implemented the system but, as a team, obviously we had to grow to get into the system and to become better as a team.
"I’ve played this system before, it’s just not that I’ve played it every week. Sometimes, certain games we played with five in the back.
"With the national team [the Netherlands], for example, we played a tournament with five in the back. That’s what I like.
"I’ve grown up with four in the back so, for me, it was quite different to play every week like this. But, right now, I can say that I’m used to it and there are pros and cons in every system.
"It’s the same with this. But, until now, I like the way I play and the way I feel in the system, so that’s good."
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