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3 months ago
31 Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has questioned whether Matthijs de Ligt can stay fit with the demands of a congested fixture list.
The Netherlands international has played for several big European clubs after coming through the ranks at Ajax. Since leaving Amsterdam, De Ligt has played for Juventus and Bayern Munich. The next chapter of his career has begun at Manchester United.
De Ligt made his Premier League debut against Fulham as a substitute last weekend, after joining United from Bayern Munich for an initial £38.5m fee on a five-year deal. He adds some valuable experience to a United defence which often leaks goals, so it was a boost to see the team keep a clean sheet against Fulham on Friday night.
As De Ligt gains full match fitness, we’ll expect him to feature in the starting line-up. Harry Maguire partnered Lisandro Martinez against the Cottagers and the pair put in a solid shift at the heart of defence.
When asked whether De Ligt can improve United’s defence, Berbatov told Futbin.com (H/t Manchester Evening News): “In a way, yes. My only concern for him is to stay fit. Obviously Ten Hag knows him, they were at Ajax together.
“Then he moved to Juventus and then Bayern Munich. That jumping from team to team, some can argue against this, but the thing is that every team he went to, they became champions. So let’s hope that it’s good karma and he brings it to United.
“Outside of the jokes and funny things, he is a really good defender so let’s hope he can stay fit – the most important thing for any player. And Ten Hag will put faith in him and let’s see how he will start in the Premier League because it is a different beast. Let’s see how he will handle the speed and all the quick players coming against him.”
United are not expected to win the Premier League this season, but what a way it would be for De Ligt to start his career in England.
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