Matthijs de Ligt made only his second start for Manchester United in their dominant 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday. The Netherlands international opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a powerful header from a Bruno Fernandes cross, setting the tone for the rest of the match. De Ligt was solid, remaining on the field until the 87th minute when he was replaced by Casemiro, and his commanding performance earned him the player of the match award.
Matthijs de Ligt vs. Southampton:
🎯 59/64 (92%) passes completed
👋 7 clearances (1 off the line)
⚔️ 3/3 aerial duels won
❌ 1 interception, 1 block, 2 tackles
⚽️ 1 goal
🏅 Man of the MatchSilencing the critics. 🤫 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/fWuOkaATwh
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) September 14, 2024
After the game, de Ligt expressed his happiness at his new club, saying, “I am enjoying it a lot at Man United. We have a great group, amazing guys. A lot of young guys who have to grow and want to grow. Hopefully we can get more results like last weekend and grow as a team.” The defender’s remarks highlight his positive outlook as he continues to settle into life at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich director Max Eberl commented on the decision to sell de Ligt, revealing some of the thinking behind the move. “I saw Bayern fans petition to keep Matthijs de Ligt but we also had to sell players. We felt more comfortable with Upamecano and Kim because they can defend higher up the pitch” Eberl explained. “Then an offer came in for de Ligt, and we accepted.” The insight provides a glimpse into Bayern’s reasoning behind allowing the talented defender to leave, despite his popularity among the fans.
De Ligt’s standout performance for the Red Devils suggests that he is well on his way to becoming a key figure for the club as they aim for more results like their recent comprehensive victory over Southampton.