Manchester United's defender, Matthijs de Ligt, has supported manager Ruben Amorim's straightforward style. Despite leading the team to a disappointing 15th place in the Premier League, Amorim's candid remarks have stirred attention.
He openly criticised his squad after a 3-1 loss to Brighton and even offered to resign without compensation following a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Amorim did not shy away from calling his team possibly the worst Manchester United side ever. His bluntness extended to accusing players of choking after losing to a South-East Asia XI during a post-season tour. De Ligt appreciates this honesty, stating, "I'm from Holland, so I like it," as reported by BBC Sport. He values Amorim's openness and feels it fosters mutual trust.
De Ligt believes that Amorim's approach will eventually benefit the club.
The recent domestic season was Manchester United's worst since their relegation in 1973-74. Their poor performance means they will miss out on European competitions for only the second time since 1990 when English clubs were readmitted into UEFA tournaments.
De Ligt has experienced various managers but finds Amorim particularly approachable. He admires how Amorim prioritises building a cohesive team over merely having top players. According to De Ligt, "Maybe before, you had the best players, but you're not a team." This philosophy aims to create unity and maximise potential.
Despite the challenges faced by Manchester United under Amorim's leadership, De Ligt remains optimistic about the future. He believes that focusing on teamwork and cultural change will lead to success. The upcoming season is expected to showcase these improvements as the club strives for better results.Despite the challenges faced by Manchester United under Amorim's leadership, De Ligt remains optimistic about the future. He believes that focusing on teamwork and cultural change will lead to success. The upcoming season is expected to showcase these improvements as the club strives for better results.
