Matthijs de Ligt has never experienced as much pressure as he does at Manchester United. The 25-year-old Dutchman believes that a direct move from Ajax to his current club might have been too big of a step.
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Matthijs de Ligt’s journey to Manchester United has been a testament to the growth and resilience he has developed over the years, yet the Dutch defender admits the challenges at Old Trafford are unlike anything he has faced before.
After leaving Ajax in 2019 for Juventus, where he quickly became a central figure in their defense, and spending two seasons with Bayern Munich, De Ligt arrived at Manchester United in the summer transfer window. The transition has been marked by immense pressure, which he acknowledges has reached unprecedented levels.
“At every club I’ve been at, the pressure has been really high, but at United, the pressure is the highest,” De Ligt shared in an interview with Football Focus. “United is still the biggest club in England, and with that status comes expectations. We all know that the way we’ve performed this year hasn’t been good enough. The standards here are incredibly high, and when you’re not meeting them, you feel the weight of that every single day.”
This season has been particularly challenging for Manchester United. The team currently sits in 13th place in the Premier League, a far cry from their title-contending ambitions. In the Europa League, they find themselves seventh in the group rankings, adding to the frustration of a fanbase accustomed to the club’s historic dominance. De Ligt emphasized how this underperformance amplifies the scrutiny on the players. “The pressure keeps getting bigger and bigger, and you feel it more as the season goes on. It’s much more negative than positive, and that’s something you sense deeply as a player. Every mistake feels magnified, and every loss feels like a failure that echoes louder than it should.”
Reflecting on his career trajectory, De Ligt expressed gratitude for the experiences he had prior to joining United, suggesting that his development through Juventus and Bayern Munich helped prepare him for the unique challenges of playing in England. “The only thing I’m grateful for is that I didn’t make the jump directly from Ajax to here because that might have been too much to handle,” he admitted. “At Ajax, I was a young player with a lot of promise, but moving directly to a club with the magnitude of United would have been overwhelming. Having already played in Italy and Germany, I gained the experience and mental toughness needed to deal with the kind of pressure I’m facing now.”
De Ligt highlighted his time at Juventus as a particularly formative period in his career. “When I first arrived in Italy, the first three months were extremely tough. I had signed for 80 million euros, and there was this massive expectation that I wouldn’t make any mistakes. That’s an unrealistic standard, especially for a young player adapting to a new league and a new culture. But it was through those early struggles through failure and disappointment that I learned how to handle critics and keep pushing forward. That experience is invaluable now, especially given the situation we’re in this year at United.”
The defender’s admission sheds light on the intense environment at Manchester United, a club steeped in tradition and a history of success. The weight of expectation is not just a burden for the players but a reflection of the club’s global status and the loyalty of its fanbase. For De Ligt, the current struggles represent an opportunity to grow both individually and as part of the team. “When you’re at a club like this, you’re expected to win every game, to fight for every trophy, and to represent the badge with pride. That’s a privilege, but it’s also a responsibility. The players here know what’s at stake, and we’re committed to turning things around.”
De Ligt also acknowledged the role of the fans, whose passion and criticism are part of what makes Manchester United a unique club. “The fans expect the best, and they have every right to do so. They’ve seen this club achieve incredible things in the past, and they want to see us get back to that level. As players, we feel that pressure, but we also feel their support when things go right. It’s a balance we need to navigate better.”
As Manchester United prepares for their Europa League clash against Glasgow Rangers, the team knows that every match is an opportunity to regain some momentum and rebuild confidence. For De Ligt, these moments are crucial in shaping the identity of the team moving forward. “This season has been tough, but it’s also a chance for us to learn and grow. We have the talent and the quality to compete at the highest level, but we need to be more consistent and resilient. That starts with each player taking responsibility for their performances and working together as a team.”
While the challenges at Manchester United have tested De Ligt like never before, they have also reaffirmed his commitment to rising to the occasion. “It’s not easy, but that’s why you play for a club like United to face challenges, to overcome adversity, and to be part of something bigger than yourself. I’m determined to help this team succeed, and I know that with time and hard work, we’ll get there.”
For United fans, De Ligt’s words offer a glimpse into the mindset of a player who understands the demands of wearing the famous red shirt. As the team navigates a difficult season, his experience, leadership, and resilience could prove invaluable in helping Manchester United restore its former glory.
Updated: 03:00, 23 Jan 2025
