'De Ligt's flaws are a worry'
- Published
Chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on Manchester United.
James asked: "Why is it that a player like Matthijs de Ligt, once one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe, starts playing for Manchester United and looks very, very average. The same thing happened to Raphael Varane. It is just baffling."
Simon answered: "There are two separate issues here. Varane was an outstanding player but his body wasn鈥檛 capable of coping with the rigours of the Premier League. Maybe United should have known that. De Ligt has not developed into the player he seemed destined to become when he skippered Ajax to within a minute of the Champions League final in 2019.
"I have spoken to coaches who have worked with him who have suggested there are flaws in his game that need to be eradicated. That is a worry because it feels as though Ten Hag wanted De Ligt to partner Leny Yoro as part of his first-choice central defensive partnership and, as the more experienced player, De Ligt should be guiding the Frenchman round the pitch, not the other way round."