De Ligt’s first start for his new club ended in a 3-0 defeat (Manchester United via Getty Images)
Rafael van der Vaart fears Matthijs de Ligt ‘has never been the same’ since leaving Ajax with the Manchester United star already under pressure to hold onto a place in the first-team.
De Ligt joined United in a deal worth an initial £38million from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window as part of a defensive revamp at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old started United’s opening two games of the season on the bench before he was handed his full debut against Liverpool prior to the international break. Despite a confident start alongside Lisandro Martinez, United were picked apart with their arch-rivals cruising to a 3-0 win.
De Ligt’s woes followed him into the international break with Netherlands. The centre-half was deemed at fault for both Bosnia and Herzegovina’s goals on an otherwise positive night for the Dutch in their 5-2 victory in Eindhoven last week.
He was handed another start on Tuesday night against Germany – but found himself hauled off at half-time by Ronald Koeman after a calamitous error, gifting the ball to Deniz Undav who went onto score.
Former Netherlands international van der Vaart believes de Ligt is now in a ‘tough phase’ of his career. While he is still believes he has the qualities of an elite centre-half, the former Tottenham star is concerned the defender has not shown his best form ‘for a long time’.
‘I’m a big fan of him and his qualities but I also have to be honest. When he left Ajax, he has never been the same,’ van der Vaart told Metro.co.uk.
De Ligt’s error led to Germany’s equaliser on Tuesday (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I think his career is a little bit stuck. I was there yesterday [for the Netherlands vs Germany game] and he made mistakes again and when you’re not in a good flow, every fault results in a goal. Every mistake leads to a chance.
‘I think he was also a bit unlucky so I still believe in his quality so I hope with ten Hag he can get his confidence back because at the end of the day, it is all about confidence. He is still a young guy, playing for a big club.
‘He has shown he can recover. His first few games for Ajax and his first game for the national team he made a big mistake but recovered. Normally it is no problem. But now, it is already a long time he is not playing well. But quality-wise he is still a great defender.’
Rafael van der Vaart makes dramatic Harry Maguire U-turn
With Leny Yoro still sidelined until November, de Ligt is in direct competition with Harry Maguire for a place in the starting XI alongside Martinez.
Van der Vaart has been hugely critical of Maguire over the years, once comparing him to players he ‘can find down his local amateur club’.
Maguire’s resolve has impressed the Dutchman (Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
But the retired midfielder has been impressed with the resolve shown by the England international since being stripped of the United captaincy a year ago, believing he could keep de Ligt out of the team as the season progresses.
‘I think de Ligt plays ahead of him,’ van der Vaart continued. ‘As a new player you would expect him to start but at the end of the day you have to play well. If he continues like this Harry is going to take his chance again.
‘I have to say, Harry also played some really good games lately. I think Matthijs will feel the pressure. I think he [Maguire] still has a big role to play. I was someone who said some bad things about his quality because at the time it was too much money for a normal player.
‘He had some really bad games and made some big mistakes but mentally wise he has been really strong. He always came back strong last season, he has a really strong mind and I think he’s happy there. They [the staff] love him there so I think he will get his chances.’
Joshua Zirkzee will have major role at Man Utd
While de Ligt struggled during the international break, his new club teammate Joshua Zirkzee impressed. The £36million signing from Bologna scored his first senior goal in the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina with van der Vaart openly critical of Ronald Koeman’s decision to drop him for the Germany game.
While he may not score as many goals as Rasmus Hojlund this season, van der Vaart insists Zirkzee is a player who will always contribute to the side, believing he will be Netherlands’ no1 striker very soon.
Zirkzee scored his first senior international goal last week (Picture: ANP via Getty Images)
‘He went to Bayern at a young age. I didn’t know him that well but I work with Pierre van Hooijdonk for Dutch television. Two years ago he said, “Rafa my son [Sydney van Hooijdonk] plays with him at Bologna, he is going to be the no1 striker for us in the future”. I saw him for the first time in a game against Fiorentina and I was totally convinced.
‘He has everything. He is not typical a Dutch striker, he has good technique, is a strong guy not only scoring but helping his teammates with assists. I think he will have a big impact for the club.
‘The most important thing as a striker is to score goals. But he is a different player. Hojlund for example, he needs goals. if he isn’t scoring, he isn’t having a good game. But for Zirkzee, it is different.’
Rafael van der Vaart was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by predicting Premier League scores at https://www.betmgm.co.uk. BeGambleAware 18+
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