British press condemns De Ligt after return at Manchester United

On Wednesday evening, Matthijs de Ligt, after eleven months of absence, immediately made his first start for Manchester United against Como, but the British press gave him a disappointing rating. The match ended in a 4-1 defeat, an evening the Dutch defender would rather forget.

A tough start for the Dutch defender

The British media did not spare De Ligt in his return to the pitch. Both The Sun and the BBC gave him a rating of four, criticizing his physical condition and lack of influence. Peter Schmeichel added that De Ligt had not played a minute since November of last season.

Just after two minutes Manchester United fell behind due to a fine strike from Nico Paz. The early goal turned out to be a harbinger for the rest of the evening, in which Como took control.

Through Anastasios Douvikas, another Nico Paz and Jacobo Rámon, Como built up to a 4-0 lead. United only found consolation when Joshua Zirkzee scored the only goal for Manchester United, making the final score 4-1.

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De Ligt was on the field from the start and was thrown straight into the lions' den by manager Michael Carrick, because the British manager had no other option. Carrick repeatedly asked throughout the match about De Ligt’s physical condition.

The Sun described the return as “ungrateful” and noted that De Ligt’s legs had long been “already on the 2-0”. The BBC added that there was no opportunity to settle into the game and that Como’s attack was “too mobile”.

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Peter Schmeichel concluded that De Ligt, born in Abcoude, had not played a minute since November and that this was clearly visible during the match.