De Ligt on Ten Hag: 'He can still motivate the players'

Matthijs de Ligt, reflecting on Manchester United’s recent struggles, spoke candidly about the team’s current situation in an interview with Viaplay following a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The loss was a significant blow for a team already under intense scrutiny, as United had entered the game level on points with Spurs, making the defeat harder to digest. De Ligt, known for his mental toughness, admitted that while he is usually quick to move on from tough results, this particular defeat was challenging to process.

"It's not something you process quickly," De Ligt admitted, highlighting the emotional toll the loss took on the team. "Usually, I'm pretty good at switching focus quickly. So my attention is already on Thursday's match, away at FC Porto. But it was definitely tough, playing against a team that had as many points as us." The Dutch defender acknowledged the weight of the defeat, but his comments also underscored his professionalism and ability to focus on the next challenge a critical Europa League fixture that could provide a much-needed boost for the struggling squad.

De Ligt further elaborated on the team’s overall lack of confidence, which has become evident in recent matches. "We obviously haven't collected many points so far. You can see that reflected in everyone's confidence," he explained. Confidence, as De Ligt pointed out, is one of the most vital elements in football, often making the difference between winning and losing. "Every footballer knows that confidence is one of the most important things in football," he added, acknowledging that a series of poor results can erode belief even in the best of teams.

De Ligt also pointed to the fact that Manchester United’s squad has undergone significant changes, with many new players coming into the fold. "We also have a team with a lot of new players. You can see there are things that could be improved. It takes time to get used to each other," De Ligt said. Integrating new signings into an established system can be a slow process, and the team is clearly still adjusting to the changes. However, he was quick to point out that at a club like Manchester United, time is not a luxury they have. "But at a club like United, you don’t have that time. You have to perform," he stressed, underscoring the immense pressure on players and staff to deliver results consistently.

Despite the mounting pressure, particularly on manager Erik ten Hag, De Ligt insisted that he hasn’t seen any signs of panic from the Dutchman. "Ten Hag seems to be under increasing pressure, but I don't necessarily see that," De Ligt remarked, highlighting Ten Hag’s composed demeanor. "I notice that he remains calm. He continues to do the same things. He can still motivate the players." For De Ligt, Ten Hag's steady hand is crucial, especially during difficult periods when the team is struggling to find form. His ability to stay composed and keep the squad motivated is something De Ligt respects deeply, having worked with Ten Hag before during their time at Ajax.

De Ligt's reflections also touched on the unpredictable nature of football. "Football is just a strange sport. It can go your way, and then out of nowhere, it doesn't," he observed, capturing the sometimes fickle nature of the game. "Unfortunately, right now, things are often going wrong for us," De Ligt admitted, pointing to the team's inability to capitalize on opportunities in key moments. Against Tottenham, for instance, United had chances to get back into the game despite being 1-0 down, but things didn’t go their way. "Against Tottenham, yes, we were 1-0 down, but we also had chances to equalize," De Ligt said, suggesting that luck hasn’t been on United’s side recently.

Reflecting on his past experience working under Ten Hag at Ajax, De Ligt noted that much of the manager’s approach remains the same, even though the challenges in the Premier League are of a different caliber. "In many ways, his approach is still the same," De Ligt explained, highlighting the consistency in Ten Hag’s methods. However, he also recognized that the level of competition in England’s top flight presents a unique set of challenges compared to the Dutch Eredivisie. "But of course, Ajax’s opposition in the Eredivisie is very different from what we face here in the Premier League. A lot more is demanded from you as a team," he said. De Ligt noted that nearly every Premier League team is highly competitive, with coaches operating at a high tactical level, which makes each match a significant challenge. "Almost every team here has a coach who operates at a certain high level."

The young defender’s reflections offer insight into the current state of Manchester United, a team still finding its identity amid a season of transition. While the pressure is undoubtedly mounting, particularly on Ten Hag, De Ligt’s comments suggest that the players remain focused on improvement and are confident in their manager's ability to guide them through this difficult phase. As the team prepares for crucial upcoming fixtures, including their Europa League clash with FC Porto, De Ligt’s words signal that the squad is determined to bounce back and restore their confidence on the pitch.