This past weekend was a tough one for Manchester United fans as the team faced a heavy 3-0 defeat at home against Tottenham Hotspur.
Amidst the disappointment, pundit Jamie Carragher was particularly critical of new signing Matthijs de Ligt, who joined the Red Devils from Bayern Munich for £43 million this summer.
The expectations were high for the Dutch defender, especially given his previous connection with manager Erik ten Hag.
Unfortunately, de Ligt’s performance left much to be desired.
Struggles in Defense
United’s defensive woes were on full display as they struggled to contain Spurs, who easily broke through the backline and took multiple shots on goal.
Carragher did not hold back in his analysis, pointing out that de Ligt seemed to consistently find himself out of position during crucial moments of the game.
He emphasized how de Ligt’s tendency to stay central prevented him from effectively defending the right side, which ultimately contributed to the team’s struggles.
Critical Analysis
Reflecting on the match, Carragher highlighted the first goal scored by Tottenham, which stemmed from a strong run by their center-back, Micky van de Ven.
Carragher expressed frustration at de Ligt’s lack of movement, saying, “I’ve noticed this a little bit with de Ligt and a lot of center-backs. I don’t understand why they don’t fill the space and come over.”
He further clarified that it wasn’t de Ligt’s job to track the striker behind him; that responsibility belonged to Lisandro Martinez.
Instead, he urged de Ligt to position himself better to cover the gaps on the right side.
Missed Opportunities
The problems didn’t stop there for de Ligt.
Carragher pointed out that he failed to fill in defensively during a key moment when Brennan Johnson had a clear opportunity to score, which he converted for his fourth goal of the season.
Carragher reiterated the need for de Ligt to anticipate plays better, stating, “De Ligt should already be over here [further right],” referring to the space that was being exploited by Tottenham’s attackers.
A Cycle of Mistakes
The issues persisted, and Carragher noted another instance where de Ligt’s positioning led to Timo Werner getting a clear shot on goal, only to miss the target.
He lamented, “Two massive chances and the goal, de Ligt, a player they brought in for huge money, is completely out of position all the time.”
This lack of awareness not only puts the team at risk but also leaves de Ligt vulnerable to picking up yellow or red cards.
Tottenham’s Dominance
The match ended with Tottenham celebrating their fourth consecutive win across all competitions.
United’s struggles were compounded by a red card for Bruno Fernandes, which further diminished their chances of a comeback.
Goals from Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski set the tone early, and Dominic Solanke sealed the deal late in the game, sending the home fans away disappointed into the rainy Manchester night.
Mixed Reactions
Despite Carragher’s harsh critique, not all pundits were as quick to judge de Ligt.
Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool player, had previously praised the center-back’s potential after United’s victory against Southampton.
He pointed out that de Ligt and Martinez showed signs of becoming a solid defensive pairing, emphasizing their aggression and teamwork on the pitch.
What’s Next for United?
As Manchester United looks ahead, it will be crucial for de Ligt and the rest of the team to address these defensive lapses.
The Red Devils will need to regroup and find a way to improve their performance if they hope to compete effectively in the coming matches.