Matthijs de Ligt Under Fire After Nightmare Display for Netherlands
Matthijs de Ligt’s Manchester United debut for the Netherlands was a disappointing one, as he struggled to make an impact in their 5-2 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Dutch defender made several costly mistakes, including being at fault for both of Bosnia’s goals.
De Ligt’s performance was a far cry from what was expected of him, and it’s a worrying sign for both United and the Netherlands. The 25-year-old has struggled for game time since joining United in the summer, and his lack of match fitness showed.
In an interview after the game, De Ligt acknowledged that he could have done better, but also made excuses about not having played 90 minutes in a long time. "I also know that there are times when I can do better. It’s also been a long time since I played 90 minutes. If I have to name something, I’m most satisfied with that," he said.
However, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman was quick to defend De Ligt, saying that mistakes are a part of football and that it’s unfair to make a big deal out of it. "He himself realises that he was in the wrong position. This should not happen, but mistakes are part of football," Koeman said.
Despite De Ligt’s struggles, the Netherlands still managed to secure a comfortable win, thanks to goals from Wout Weghorst and Xavi Simons. However, De Ligt will need to bounce back quickly, as the Netherlands face rivals Germany on Tuesday.
De Ligt’s display will be a major concern for United and the Netherlands, and it’s clear that he still has a lot to work on. Despite his talent, he’s yet to establish himself as a regular starter for United, and this performance will only add to the pressure on him.
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