Matthijs de Ligt has shown where he stands on one veteran Manchester United star who fell into the “world-class” bracket for Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United are preparing for the start of their run in the 2025-26 Carabao Cup tournament, with the Red Devils facing Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening.
The second-round Carabao Cup tie will be played at Grimsby Town’s Blundell Park, with United’s forthcoming clash slated for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK.
Ruben Amorim will be hopeful of United picking up their first win across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign after a mixed start to the new season.
The Red Devils were in action on the weekend at Craven Cottage and Amorim’s men collected their first Premier League point after United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
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Matthijs de Ligt acknowledges the fans after the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Matthijs de Ligt shares a telling response to Luke Shaw after Ruben Amorim’s praise for the Man Utd left-back this summer
Luke Shaw has featured in both of Manchester United’s opening 2025-26 Premier League matches and continues to play a key role under Ruben Amorim at the club.
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The 30-year-old Red Devils defender started United’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal before securing his place in the starting XI for Sunday’s tie with Fulham.
Luke Shaw has seen a position change under United manager Amorim, with the Portuguese coach preferring the England star as the left-sided centre-back.
Patrick Dorgu has become the 40-year-old Portuguese coach’s first-choice for the left wing-back role in his tactical system, with Shaw now adapting to his new role.
Amorim thinks highly of Three Lions international Shaw and former Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt has now talked up his United teammate with a powerful assessment.
Speaking to the United We Stand magazine, De Ligt was asked to describe his United teammates in one word and he labelled Red Devils star Shaw as the “bull.”
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What did Ruben Amorim say about Man Utd star Luke Shaw ahead of Matthijs de Ligt’s praise?
Luke Shaw’s season with United in the 2024-25 campaign was curtailed by injuries again, but the former Southampton star still remains part of Amorim’s plans.
The Three Lions left-back featured under Amorim during the pre-season campaign and Shaw was even labelled as a “world-class player” during the US leg of the tour.
“Luke Shaw is a world-class player,” Amorim said in July, as per BBC Sport.
The United manager added: “That is my feeling. You can feel it in the small things; when he touches the ball, the ability to play one against one.
“England had two finals. He had issues during the season, but in the final, he is always there. That means something.
“But he needs to be fit. He needs to train at the limit, which is what he is doing at the moment.
“He is a great player and I am really pleased with him.”
Shaw is under contract with United until 2027 and the Three Lions international has made 289 appearances for the Red Devils amid his injury-hit playing career.