“He got much worse” - Ex-Netherlands international delivers verdict on 25-year-old Manchester United star
Ruud Krol has taken shots at Matthijs de Ligt and claimed that the Manchester United star has got worse since moving to Old Trafford. He believes that the Dutchman has not improved since leaving Juventus and was much better under Max Allegri.
Speaking to the media via Tuttomercatoweb, Krol stated that De Ligt has now shown any signs of improvement. He added that the Dutchman was brilliant at Juventus but is not the same player anymore. He said:
"Juve bought him when he arrived from Holland. First at Bayern Munich and then at Manchester, he got much worse compared to Juve, he should improve. At Juve, with [Massimiliano] Allegri, he did very well. He was perfect in marking, in positioning on the pitch, he was one of the strongest players in Italy."
Manchester United signed De Ligt in the summer as Erik ten Hag wanted to bolster his squad. The Dutchman has not managed to help but will have to play a key role in the coming weeks with Harry Maguire ruled out.
Manchester United told Matthijs de Ligt is not better than Harry Maguire
Tim Sherwood was not happy with Manchester United signing Matthijs de Ligt and stated that the signing was not an exciting one. He believes that the Dutchman is not better than Harry Maguire or Lisandro Martinez and said via Football365:
"If I were a United fan I wouldn't be jumping up and down with excitement. When he was a younger player he was a very good prospect but he has gone to a big club and lost his way – he needs to find a rhythm again."
"Ten Hag needs to work with him. For that kind of money, you'd expect him to play but there is no guarantee because he has made some big money signings and they have sat on the bench next to him. I'm sure the new hierarchy will say, 'We got him for you, you'll need to bed him in'. Is he better than Harry Maguire? I am not sure. He's certainly not better than [Lisandro] Martinez," he added.
Manchester United also signed Leny Yoro in the summer but the youngster got injured in pre-season. He has not featured for the Red Devils yet and is expected back in training soon.
Erik ten Hag has come under pressure after a slow start at Old Trafford this season. They have won just two of their opening seven matches in the league this season and sit 14th in the table.