The English media handed out plenty of compliments to Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch central defender put in an excellent performance for Manchester United against Chelsea.
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In the English media, Matthijs de Ligt received widespread praise after Manchester United’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over Chelsea, a result that not only boosted Erik ten Hag’s team in the Premier League standings but also highlighted the Dutch defender’s growing influence at Old Trafford.
The Daily Express awarded De Ligt an 8, underlining the balance in his performance: “He carried out his defensive duties well and also helped to set up attacks, playing much higher up the pitch than usual. A strong performance on both fronts.” The review reflected what many fans inside the stadium felt as the centre-back played with authority, composure and an attacking ambition rarely seen in his earlier months at United.
Manchester Evening News echoed that sentiment, giving the former Ajax captain a 7: “He made full use of Sánchez’s red card by pushing into the final third to support the attack. In addition, he was defensively dominant.” This observation captured a key aspect of the game: De Ligt’s ability to adapt to the circumstances and seize the initiative once Chelsea were reduced to ten men. Rather than sitting back, he advanced with confidence, showing both his tactical intelligence and leadership on the pitch.
The Sun went with the striking headline “De Ligt impresses amid Chelsea chaos”, also rating him with an 8: “Thanks to his excellent interventions, United won the match 2–1. The Dutch star stepped high up the pitch while United dominated early on, and he delivered several key passes as his team controlled the game. The centre-back repeatedly cleared the danger and prevented Chelsea from scoring shortly after half-time.” These words highlighted the decisive role De Ligt played in ensuring United took all three points. In a match filled with tension, his calmness and defensive awareness proved crucial, particularly in moments when Chelsea tried to mount a comeback.
Adding weight to the chorus of approval was Henry Winter, one of the most respected football journalists in England and former chief editor of both The Times and The Telegraph. Winter dedicated a rare appreciation post to the Dutchman: “A post of appreciation for De Ligt. He made his debut in the Netherlands at the age of 17, was captain of Ajax at 18 and won the league title. He was rated so highly that Juventus signed him for €85 million.”
Winter went on to contextualise De Ligt’s career trajectory: “At Bayern Munich his career stalled somewhat due to injuries. Manchester United paid €45 million and this season he is finally showing his undisputed quality. His Ajax qualities, his physical presence and leadership, his tackles, his interceptions, his clearances and his passes. Once again a great performance.” Coming from a journalist known for his measured and critical tone, these remarks were a testament to the impact De Ligt is now making in English football.
The praise comes at a vital moment for Manchester United. With defensive injuries and inconsistencies troubling the team in recent years, Ten Hag has been searching for stability at the back. De Ligt, once heralded as one of Europe’s most promising defenders, is beginning to live up to that billing again. His partnership with the likes of Lisandro Martínez and Raphael Varane has been rotated frequently due to injuries, but his recent form suggests he could become the defensive cornerstone around which United rebuild their backline.
The Dutch international’s journey has not been without setbacks. After leaving Ajax, where he had become the youngest captain in the club’s history and lifted the Eredivisie title, his €85 million move to Juventus was expected to cement him among Europe’s elite. While he enjoyed moments of success in Turin, the immense pressure and the defensive style of Italian football often placed him under scrutiny. At Bayern Munich, injuries limited his playing time and stalled his development, raising questions about whether he could ever fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager.
Now, at Manchester United, there are signs that De Ligt has found the right environment to flourish once again. Ten Hag, who knows him well from their Ajax days, has placed trust in his qualities and encouraged him to play with confidence. Against Chelsea, that trust was repaid in full: commanding in defence, brave in possession, and vocal in organising those around him.
For supporters, the sight of De Ligt rising to the occasion in such a crucial Premier League match is encouraging. It demonstrates not only his resilience in overcoming past struggles but also his readiness to take on a leadership role in a squad searching for consistency. With United’s season still very much in the balance, the performance against Chelsea may well be remembered as a turning point, both for the team and for De Ligt’s personal journey.
As Winter’s words suggest, this could be the season where the Dutchman finally silences the doubts that followed him across Italy and Germany, proving that at 26, he still has his best years ahead of him. If he continues to deliver performances of this calibre, Manchester United may have found not just a reliable defender, but a leader capable of guiding them through their next chapter.
Updated: 11:14, 20 Sep 2025
