Matthijs de Ligt has snubbed the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Leonardo Bonucci in naming a former Manchester star as the best defender he has ever played with.
The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils in the summer from Bayern Munich having already represented a number of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
De Ligt has benefited from learning next to the likes of Van Dijk at international level, while his time at Juventus proved to be a valuable experience given the wisdom passed down by legendary duo Leonardo Bonucci and Georgio Chiellini.
The former Ajax skipper believes the best form of his career coincided with him playing alongside Daley Blind another Dutchman who only showed glimpses of his best form during a difficult spell at Old Trafford.
‘I’ve played with so many amazing central defenders,’ De ligt told Sky Sports when asked to reflect on his career to date.
‘I played with Van Dijk, I played with Chiellini, Bonucci, I played with Upamecano and Kim at Bayern Munich.
‘But if I name one where I felt it was the best partnership where together I felt we worked the best it was Daley Blind because I had a really good connection with him.
‘I think we complimented each other really well we felt exactly where to go, where we could help the other one and that was still the partnership I think was the best connection together.’
It has been a difficult start to life at United for the commanding centre-half with his recent performances torn apart by the likes of Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher.
De Ligt’s place in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands starting XI is also under threat but Ten Hag is confident one of his big summer recruits will soon rediscover his form and confidence.
‘I know Matthijs and he’s a great personality,’ said Ten Hag. ‘He will overcome this and will bounce back in this situation with the Dutch squad. It is definitely not his club situation. I’m not afraid for this situation. I know his qualities, I know his personality and I know he’ll fight back.
‘The other thing is he had been a very difficult pre-season because he didn’t play games. His only game from the start was the last game against Liverpool.
‘Without this he goes and starts for the Dutch squad and he’s not in the rhythm yet or up to full speed. But when he is, you will see his qualities and a different player.’
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