After Manchester United's 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League, pundit Jamie Carragher criticized Matthijs de Ligt's performance and questioned his worth as a player. De Ligt struggled to keep up with Porto's attackers, leading to three goals for the opposition. This has raised concerns among fans and pundits about the effectiveness of United's expensive signing. Even former United midfielder Paul Scholes doesn't see De Ligt as a vast improvement from the current players and calls for the team to step up their game on the training ground.
Background:
Matthijs de Ligt joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 for a hefty transfer fee of €80 million. The Dutch defender was seen as a key addition to a United defense that had been struggling for consistency in recent years. However, his performances since joining have been disappointing, raising doubts about his suitability for the team.
Struggles at Porto and Carragher's Criticism:
In the recent Europa League match against Porto, de Ligt was repeatedly exposed by the opposition's attackers. He was at fault for two of Porto's three goals and looked uncomfortable throughout the game. Pundit Jamie Carragher singled out de Ligt's performance for criticism, questioning whether he was worth the club's investment.
Scholes' Assessment:
Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has also expressed concerns about de Ligt's performance. He believes that the defender has not shown a significant improvement over United's current players and has called for the team to address their defensive issues on the training ground.
Top 5 FAQs Related to de Ligt's Struggles:
According to Carragher and Scholes, de Ligt has struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He has also been criticized for his positioning and decision-making.
It is too early to say whether de Ligt's transfer has been a success or failure. He has only played a handful of games for United and may yet improve. However, his early performances have been disappointing.
The future of de Ligt at United is uncertain. If he continues to struggle, he could find himself out of the starting XI or even sold. However, if he can improve his performances, he may become a key player for the team.
While de Ligt has been criticized for his performances, he is not the only defender who has failed to impress this season. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have also come under fire, and there are concerns about the overall balance of the team.
There is no easy solution to United's defensive problems. The team needs to improve their communication, organization, and discipline. They may also need to consider signing additional defensive reinforcements in the summer.
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