Matthijs de Ligt, the former Juventus defender now playing for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, has come under criticism from Dutch football legend Ruud Krol for his apparent decline in form since leaving Italy. Krol, speaking on the radio program “1 Football Club,” expressed his disappointment in De Ligt’s recent performances.
De Ligt left Juventus for Bayern Munich two seasons ago but failed to make a significant impact in Germany. This summer, he made the move to the Premier League, joining Manchester United where he reunited with his former Ajax coach, Erik ten Hag. However, the change of scenery has not yet resulted in a return to his best form.
Krol, himself a former defender of renown, did not mince words when discussing De Ligt’s trajectory: “Juventus bought De Ligt when he arrived from the Netherlands. Now, at Bayern Munich and Manchester United, he has deteriorated significantly compared to his time at Juve. He should be improving. At Juventus, under Allegri, he had performed very well. He was perfect in marking, positioning on the field, and was one of the strongest players in Italy.”
The criticism is particularly pointed given De Ligt’s rapid rise to prominence at Ajax and his subsequent big-money move to Juventus. His performances in Turin were generally well-received, making his apparent regression all the more puzzling to observers like Krol.
The Dutch legend’s comments highlight a broader concern about young players making high-profile moves and the challenges they face in maintaining consistent form across different leagues and tactical systems. De Ligt’s case is particularly intriguing given that he is now working under Ten Hag, the coach who oversaw his development at Ajax.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on De Ligt to see if he can recapture the form that made him one of the most sought-after young defenders in world football. Manchester United fans will be hoping that familiarity with Ten Hag’s methods will eventually bring out the best in the Dutch international.
In the same interview, Krol also touched on the Serie A title race, noting the passion and energy of certain teams and highlighting Romelu Lukaku’s potential to be a decisive factor. He also pointed out the advantage that teams not participating in European competitions might have, as they can avoid the injuries and fatigue that often come with a congested fixture list.
