It's a compounding squad quality. And yes, he's probably good enough for a top 6 team. But that shouldn't be our goal.
4
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 12
- Clean sheets
- 1
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 0
I dont see the point in screenshots when we all saw the game.
Most our players played a bad game, there were is few instances where de Ligt actually did very well, as did Yoro and Shaw.
Considering he was a starter for Bayern, able to compete in the Bundesliga and Champions League I really don't think he is the issue that some want to make him out to be. His biggest issue is his ball-playing ability I'd say.
Sure there is a lack of athleticism in our team in general, especially in the middle. But just having fast players is really not the solution some think it is.
Sure there is a lack of athleticism in our team in general, especially in the middle. But just having fast players is really not the solution some think it is.
Like i said, people always have selective memory. Especially in a fast pace and emotional game. Did you remember all those screenshot sequence or not? Because they all came from the same game that you claimed you're watching.
Those screenshots definitely better than arguing by "I think this" and "No, I think that" just based on memory. They are what they are. And in most of them, I put them in sequence, just to provide a bit of context also.
I think he can do a job for now. I just wonder if he’d be a bit less ponderous in a back four.
I disagree with you regarding the first goal. He is there to protect from the cross across the goal, and protect that space should Ugarte get beaten. It is for Bruno to track his man, or hand him off to a CB, and he does neither. If he wasn't there and had instead jumped out to Foden, and Ugarte gets beat, or crosses it to Haaland (which is what De Ligt is blocking) that would be far more risky than allowing Phil Foden a header from miles out.
I agree with you regarding his inaccurate pass that led to the Haaland chance, that was poor.
I disagree with you regarding the 2nd goal. Shaw was covering that run, and failed to do so.
For the first goal, de Ligt was lining up almost exactly on the flat line behind Ugarte. How is it preventing a cross? He didn't have awareness where Haaland nor any other City player was. He's in no man's land. Just imagine in back four, having your CB positioned like that.
On 2nd goal, why would he let Shaw covering Haaland's run? Was de Ligt marking someone, thus preventing him to mark Haaland? Or was he even aware a 7 foot tall Haaland was lurking behind him? What kind of centerback is he?
Edit: Anyway, thanks for engaging, mate. I'm just venting out my frustration on players now. And yeah, probably i was just desperate to find fault on players.
Last edited:
The fact that you have no tactical knowledge at all is showing.
In some of the screenshots you have 3 defenders all defending their zone against 1 attacker. If you think that all 3 should defend the 1 attacker, then you're clueless.
For the situation you're describing in the post i'm quoting. He's still defending his zone, sure Haaland is behind him, but so is another defender. If there was nobody else, then sure it would've been De Ligts fault, but that wasn't the case.
But that is about sums up his time here so far , he has been ok but also a bit underwhelming given his reputation , especially in his younger days,
He was very good against Arsenal where he showed real aggression and dominated like a top CB should , but as with so many of our players there is a consistency issue. Too often he reverts to passive mode.
He's been a solid 7 out of 10 during is time here for me, which is very hard to get here. He's playing in a chaotic club to be honest it's hard to find any defender who won't look like he has yoyo form at times.
I think its questionable on both, but I can also see whats happened on both from his point of view.
He's tried to cover Shaw's space not realizing that Ugarte is doing it. Perhaps he then realizes and doesnt expect Ugarte to deal with the cross. Either way he's moved across into the LCB position which means the defenders to his right have to as well. Yoro and Mazraoui dont move 1 inside to cover the space.
For the 2nd goal he can continue his run back with Haaland. Haaland would be goalside based on where the pass is going but he could still match his speed and be able to make a challenge. However the LCB Shaw is in the better position to deal with it as hes still able to get goalside of Haaland from where the pass is headed. He simply doesn't have the speed and doesnt use his body well enough to impede Haaland who shrugs him off and finishes the chance
Both times De Ligt could do better but I'd put more of the blame on Shaw and I can at least understand De Ligt's reasoning for transitioning on the first one and trusting his LCB to deal with it on the 2nd one. And I don't rate him very highly based on last season, but he's been our best CB so far this season despite some mistakes.
Outstanding against Arsenal and very good against Burnley. Probably still amongst our better players against Fulham and City. Pretty happy with him overall, Haaland was as tough as it gets yesterday. Couldn't bully him like a rag doll like hes done with Gyokeres and others
I don’t really get people slating Shaw but saying de Ligt is doing better.
In a way he is one of my biggest concerns as most see his solid performances and believe he is the long term solution as middle CB while he is too slow on the ball which gives our midfield even less time and leads to more errors.
In a way he is one of my biggest concerns as most see his solid performances and believe he is the long term solution as middle CB while he is too slow on the ball which gives our midfield even less time and leads to more errors.
I played football at a half decent level and if he was down my level and obviously at that level I'd love to play against him because I was fast. Fast strikers crave playing against a De Ligt, you can unsettle them with pace in behind.
He's too slow.
He's too slow.
So if he was as shit as you, you'd like to play against him? Cool.
What the hell does that even mean.
You can see what I'm saying, he's slow. Pacey players enjoying playing against players who lack pace.
This is part of the problem this system isn't working. The defenders arent quick enough to cover the holes left by the wing backs.
Just a little joke. Agreed. Ideally, you want a centre back who can tick all three boxes. Quick, good in the air, good on the ball. I think we should/will be on the lookout for a new centre half or two. I'd let Maguire's contract run out and as much as I value Martinez's ability on the ball, I'd probably cut my losses on both him and Shaw due to their history of injuries.
In a back four, partnered with Yoro, they could have a very good partnership.
All our defenders apart from Maguire would be better in a back 4. Our squad would be better in a back 4 system apart from Maguire and maybe Cunha
On 2nd goal, he's even worse. He somehow didn't even try to defend against Haaland.
You need to use a better angle of replay for better context.
(Swipe to view different screenshot of the sequence of play)
For first the goal, it exposed how awful Amorim’s defensive set up is. It’s exactly what Marco Silva described how to get players behind our 2 man midfield with ease as well as preventing our defensive line to engage in timely manner: creating number advantage in the pockets of space behind our midfield and have the forward occupying the CBs away from the direct area of play.
De Ligt positioned exactly where LCB should be. There was only one second between Doku first attempt to cross and his second. De Ligt were never in position to pick up Foden. Foden is solely Bruno’s responsibility to mark if we looked for individual mistake.
For second goal had evaded battle with De Ligt all game. In this scenario Haaland deliberately stay in De Ligt blind spot and especially moving toward Shaw before taking off nearer to De Ligt back.
This angle gives better context about the situation. Haaland was not far behind, and already been accelerating while De Ligt was anticipating to intercept Doku bursting away from Yoro to the channel. There was no communication from Shaw to De Ligt about Haaland who hid himself in De Ligt blind spot. In that split second where Doku released the pass, De Ligt unlikely be about to react to the speed of the pass and realized Haaland coming at high speed out from his blind spot. It’s a smart move from Haaland. Shaw was supposed to be the one who marked more tightly and covered for his partner in this situation.
He is ok.
Both goals just show that he's lacking of awareness of where the dangers were. Just look at his positioning on 1st goal. He wouldn't have known if there were 1 or 7 City's players behind him on the box, where they were positioned, and if his partners could deal with them.
Especially the 2nd goal. So you agreed that he's not aware that City's most dangerous goalscorer was lurking behind him. You just can't do that as a centerback. Nor he should assume Shaw would deal Haaland. If he plays in a back four, the fullback isn't always great defensively.
Last edited:
A player with lack of pace and agility will always second guess himself in a higher line. It's common sense thinking that seems to elude us as we keep buying the Maguire's and the de Ligt's for good money and then giving them bumper contracts.
There is nothing you can do if your partners don’t communicate with you. If you check the second gal sequence, you can spot him look over his left should down scanning. Haaland is smart enough to stay in his blind spot as well as stay out of De Ligt defensive zone both time. His run was perfectly time. De Ligt’s attention was logically drawn to Doku who got Yoro well beaten. In the first goal, Haaland movement dragged Yoro and created that pocket of space where Foden arrived, too.
It’s a vintage forward movement. Similarly, Torres freed himself from Ferdinand, while stayed hidden in Vidic’s blind spot defensive zone. Ferdinand couldn’t just vacate his defensive zone to close down Torres until the pass was played. Everyone know who is the threat. However, smart forwards hide themselves. It’s not like great defenders have eyes on the back of their heads. There is only so much you can do as defenders against these type of forwards especially those with this kind of pace and smartness.
Back to Haaland, people may be underrating his movement in situation like this. He knows when to be active, his positioning and timing makes it impossible for CBs to stop in these situation where CBs have to turn and run back toward goal. He has been doing this to highly rated defenders, and team with great defensive record.
You can see in the goal against Arsenal, once Haaland cut across, Gabriel had to give up. There is no safe way to pressure or tackle while risking a sent off. Saliba was further away was left to run across in vain.
What midfield?
Probably because he has been alot better than Shaw
Didn't have a great game against City.
I did not like the Martinez-De Ligt partnership last year so I do wonder how this season will pan out if we revert back to a 4 man defence. Yoro and De Ligt would probably be the preference.
I did not like the Martinez-De Ligt partnership last year so I do wonder how this season will pan out if we revert back to a 4 man defence. Yoro and De Ligt would probably be the preference.
Man Utd 2:1 Chelsea
New
Motm today by a mile.
Immense performance
Best player on the pitch.
Been our best player by far this season. He’s settled and he’s a monster.
Best player this season with Mbeumo
Been a rough while for the haters.
Been our best CB this season.
The M in MDL stands for Magnificent. Easy MotM.
All over the pitch today, if everybody put in the same effort and consistency as he does then we would have a couple more points at least.
Great defensive performance. Looked a bit quicker than in the past too keeping up with Joao Pedro running in behind
2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 clearances, 2 aerials, our most passes with 49. Can only think of 1 time he didnt quite get it right where Pedro did a trick and he fouled him. Other than that seemed to win every duel
2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 clearances, 2 aerials, our most passes with 49. Can only think of 1 time he didnt quite get it right where Pedro did a trick and he fouled him. Other than that seemed to win every duel
MOTM performance.
Future United captain right here.