Manchester United may have lost their season-opener against Arsenal but there were plenty of positives to take from the game. Ruben Amorim's side put in as a performance that has enthused fans and suggested we're on the right track.
The Red Devils should have at least come away with a point but it wasn't to be. Riccardo Calafiori's early goal proved to be the difference although the hosts will be ruining letting the Gunners steal the victory.
Arsenal very rarely caused any problems going forward even with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres leading the line. That was down to the excellent display from one of our three centre-backs.
Fans applaud Matthijs de Ligt for keeping Viktor Gyokeres in his pocket
Matthijs De Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt has earned fans' respect | Stu Forster/GettyImages
Matthijs de Ligt has encountered a topsy-turvy time at United since arriving from Bayern Munich last summer. Many questioned whether the Dutch defender was worth the £42.9m that was spent on him.
The 26-year-old put in one of his best performances in a Red Devils shirt on Sunday, keeping Gyokeres extremely quiet. He won six of 10 aerial duels and three of five ground duels, and showcased the leadership he's possessed throughout his career.
De Ligt's exploits didn't go unnoticed by fans despite most focus going to the debuting Mathues Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo who shined.
Popular United fan Dev Bajwa wrote:
"De Ligt was a monster today."
Another fan tipped the Netherlands international to prove his worth:
"They don’t rate De Ligt because he’s not a “hipster” center-back, but game by game he’ll prove to everyone that he’s one of the best defenders in the league."
The Stretford Paddick's X account wrote:
"An absolutely colossal performance from Matthijs de Ligt today... and a certain someone deep in his back pocket."
United fan AmorimEra_ said:
"I hope the narrative about De Ligt can begin to change today."
De Ligt has received his fair share of criticsm since joining United but has often responded to it with assured outings on the pitch. He could be forming Amorim's go-to three-at-the-back partnership with Leny Yoro (who was also fautless) and Luke Shaw (who hopefully stays fit).
Viktor Gyokeres failed to have a single shot in a league game for the first time since April 2023 for Coventry City against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, ending a run of 69 league appearances in which he registered at least one shot.
Bullied by De Ligt! 💪🔴#MUFC pic.twitter.com/NeJEXRKn81
— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) August 17, 2025
De Ligt is Amorim's captain in waiting
Ruben Amorim, Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt shares similar principles as Amorim | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
De Ligt feels like an Amorim signing but he arrived during the final year of Erik ten Hag's reign at United. The Dutchmen were reunited as it was Ten Hag who oversaw the player's development previously at Ajax.
The former Ajax captain's meteoric rise was a huge factor in the Dutch outfit's impressive period under Ten Hag. He was a rock at centre-back but moves to Juventus and Bayern had many pondering whether he was as good as first envisioned.
Ten Hag's final few months in charge were frustrating and Amorim entered the dugout halfway through a season to forget. But the Portuguese coach can rely on De Ligt's experience moving forward and there's every chance he could be Bruno Fernandes' replacement as captain in the long-term future.
De Ligt talks just as good a game as Amorim and that was clear when he responded to his coach calling last season's urrent United team "the worst in the club's history". He said (via BBC Sport):
"I'm from Holland so I like it. I can understand the media are in shock because normally this doesn't happen. But I think you can also be really happy that finally someone speaks out, says what he thinks and speaks the truth."
He added:
"I really appreciate him in our conversations personally. It gives me a feeling I can trust him and he can trust me."
De Ligt will be keen to continue as a starter under Amorim and help kickstart United's season with their first win. They face Fulham next Sunday (August 24).
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