Latest Man Utd signing Matthijs de Ligt suffers humiliation while on international duties
Matthijs de Ligt’s international break went from bad to worse as he was hauled off at halftime during the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League grudge match with Germany.
Former Ajax and Juventus centre-back De Ligt joined United from Bayern Munich last month, sealing a reunion with Erik ten Hag.
De Ligt played the best football of his career under Ten Hag as a thrilling Ajax team reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League in 2018/19, but the 25-year-old has failed to regularly hit the heights since.
High-profile mistakes have been an unfortunate feature of his game and, after being substituted on his full United debut following a rash second-half yellow card in the 3-0 loss to Liverpool, De Ligt has endured a miserable time with his country.
The Netherlands were 1-0 up thanks to Tijjani Reijnders’ early goal in Amsterdam before De Ligt aimed a dreadful pass into midfield and Germany equalised through Deniz Undav.
De Ligt also failed to deal with the danger when Joshua Kimmich gave Die Mannschaft the lead in first-half stoppage time, by which point head coach Ronald Koeman had seen enough.
At the break, De Ligt was replaced by Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke. The Netherlands improved in the United man’s absence and earned a point through Denzel Dumfries’ equaliser.
Tuesday’s game followed a similarly poor showing in the Oranje’s 5-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, where De Ligt was at fault for Ermedin Demirovic’s goal.
“I think you know how I feel, we won but then comes the individual part,” he told reporters afterwards.
“I should have done better at their second goal, and I know that. I don’t really know what happened.. I should have cleared the ball but I kept having doubts during the play.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has made his feelings clear on Rasmus Hojlund
Ruud van Nistelrooy rejoined Man Utd earlier this summer as an assistant coach.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has made his feelings clear on Rasmus Hojlund a few months after Man Utd return
Ruud van Nistelrooy is said to have already delivered some key advice to Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund following his return to Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, returned to the club earlier this summer as part of a coaching shake-up that saw former assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag depart.
Fellow Dutchman Rene Hake also arrived alongside the legendary forward, who had previously spent time with Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie.
Having quickly gotten to work alongside Erik ten Hag, Ruud’s influence has been cited as a potential positive for young forward Hojlund at Manchester United.
The Red Devils have suffered a slow start to the new Premier League season, winning just one of their opening three matches.
An opening-day success against Fulham preceded losses to Brighton and Liverpool with questions once again being asked of Ten Hag’s credentials.
Hojlund’s return has been a hot topic of discussion, with the talented Dane still stepping up his recovery from an injury he sustained in pre-season.
Despite those injury struggles, Van Nistelrooy has already told one former Man Utd player that he sees a bright future for Hojlund.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy is back at the club and I spoke to him briefly,” Peter Schmeichel told Tipsbladet.
“He says there is so much potential in him (Hojlund). If he can help him…
“It’s not just Rasmus! The team is not playing with him in the right way, so there are some things that need to be corrected.”
Hojlund suffered an injury in United’s defeat to Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Hojlund suffered an injury in United’s defeat to Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Hojlund enjoyed a strong first season at Old Trafford after making the switch from Atalanta last summer.
Netting 16 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions, the Denmark international impressed supporters and Ten Hag in his debut campaign.
Joshua Zirkzee has since arrived at the club to help share the weight of expectation in attack and it remains to be seen how Manchester United set up when both strikers are fully fit.
“[It is] very pleasing that a player who is a striker scores his first goal in his first game,” Ten Hag told reporters after Zirkzee’s strike against Fulham.
“It helps absolutely (Zirkzee) scoring his first goal, it gives him confidence and gives us confidence as a team. Very good progress.”
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