Dimitar Berbatov Concerns Over Matthijs de Ligt: Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has shared his concern over the club’s latest signing Matthijs de Ligt’s ability to stay fit, claiming that the Dutch signing needs to avoid injuries in a very physical English Premier League.
The Red Devils have had a busy summer transfer window. After a dismal 2023/24 season, which saw them finish a lowly eighth in the Premier League but unexpectedly win the FA Cup, the Erik Ten Hag-managed club has made a lot of signings.
United has signed Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna after the Italian club finished fifth in Serie A last season. They have also signed full-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich and the latest young defensive sensation Lenyyoro from Lille.
Check Out: Dimitar Berbatov Concerns Over Matthijs de Ligt
But Man United’s biggest signing in this transfer window was centre-back Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old has been one of the best defenders in the world ever since breaking out during the legendary 2018/19 season for Eredivisie side Ajax.
Having played over 200 professional games before what many would consider the peak years for a defender, de Ligt has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. From Ajax to Juventus to Bayern, he has won three league titles in three different countries and was also a part of the UEFA Team of the Year in 2019.
He made his United debut in the 20-24/25 Premier League opener against Fulham at Old Trafford. In that match, United looked a little rough around the edges but won the game due to a fantastic goal by also debuting Zirkzee.
Dimitar Berbatov Concerns Over Matthijs de Ligt
Dimitar Berbatov, who played 149 games and scored 56 goals for Manchester United across four seasons from 2008 to 2012, recently commented on how, despite de Ligt being a world-class defender, he needs to keep in mind the physicality of the Premier League if he is to avoid injuries. But the Bulgarian striker was otherwise positive about the signing.
“In a way, yes. My only concern for him is to stay fit. Obviously, Ten Hag knows him. They were at Ajax together. Then he moved to Juventus and then Bayern Munich. That jumping from team to team—some can argue against this, but the thing is that every team he went to, they became champions. So let’s hope that it’s good karma and he brings it to United,” said Berbatov in a recent interview with Futbin.com.
“Outside of the jokes and funny things, he is a really good defender, so let’s hope he can stay fit—the most important thing for any player… Ten Hag will put faith in him, and let’s see how he will start in the Premier League because it is a different beast. Let’s see how he will handle the speed and all the quick players coming against him,” he continued.
After a successful start to the season, Manchester United will next face Brighton on Saturday, August 24 away, before a massive game against Liverpool at home on Sunday, September 1.
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