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2 months ago
28 Matthijs de Ligt gave a brutal assessment of his performance after being out of position for Bosnia & Herzegovina’s two goals in their 5-2 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday.
The Manchester United defender started alongside Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence. It was a night to forget for De Ligt, but at least it didn’t cost the Dutch any real embarrassment because they still won their UEFA Nations League clash convincingly.
De Ligt wasn’t the only United player named in Ronald Koeman’s starting line-up. Joshua Zirkzee got his first start for the senior Dutch side, scored a goal and registered an assist.
However, De Ligt’s focus at full-time was his positioning which led to two goals for Bosnia.
“I should have done better at their second goal, and I know that. I don’t really know what happened,” De Ligt told NOS.
“I should have cleared the ball but I kept having doubts during the play. It’s just f****d. Is this game a missed opportunity for me? I don’t know, I just try to do my best.”
De Ligt was part of United’s defence that shipped three goals against Liverpool last weekend. The centre-back played well in the first 20 minutes before the team – as a whole – collapsed in defeat.
The former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich centre-back admitted that the European Championship during the summer was a struggle for him on an individual note.
De Ligt added: “It is of course great that you reach the semi-finals as a team, but individually it was quite a difficult European Championship.”
Although De Ligt has 45 caps for the Netherlands, he didn’t play a single minute in Germany at Euro 2024.
“I didn’t really have a chance either, which is a shame.
“I tried to position myself as best as I could for my teammates. I think I succeeded. I didn’t hear any complaints, but it was difficult.”
More eyes on the Premier League
De Ligt offered some insight behind his transfer from Bayern Munich to Manchester United. The defender spoke to Koeman about the move and is excited by the fact more people watch the Premier League than the Bundesliga.
“I also spoke to Koeman about my transfer to United,” De Ligt continued. “I am very happy with it. It is also to stay a little more in the picture, as crazy as that may sound. But you notice that the Premier League is watched by everyone and the Bundesliga apparently less.”
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