Manchester United legend slams De Ligt, calling him a robot

Manchester United has been a different club since Sir Alex Ferguson left the dugout in 2013. Far from the glory and dominance that characterized his golden era, the team has wandered aimlessly, mired in a crisis of identity and results. The arrival of Rúben Amorim has only worsened the situation, becoming the worst start for a manager in the post-Ferguson era.

In this context of turbulence, the criticism and accusations point to several fronts. Amorim, of course, is the main target, but there is also another figure who is receiving a good dose of "sticks": Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch centre-back, who had already been at the centre of the controversy during his spells at Juventus and Bayern Munich, has not met expectations at Old Trafford, and his high transfer price only increases the pressure on his shoulders.

"An obscene price for a centre-back"

The criticism of De Ligt is not new or isolated. Former player Martin Keown did not mince words when referring to the Dutchman: "Look at De Ligt, the amount of money they spent on him, by the way, is almost obscene for a centre-back." Keown did not stop there, and sentenced the centre-back stating that "he is playing like a robot. There are times when he can clear the ball and send it to the corner. He simply creates problems for the team. Amorim needs to give him confidence, I don't see any of that in him."

Paul Scholes joins the criticism

Keown is not the only one who has raised his voice against De Ligt. Just a few days ago, a United legend like Paul Scholes also expressed his opinion on the Dutch centre-back. "He was brilliant at Ajax. He seems to be getting worse as he gets older. Bayern Munich and Juventus let him go for a reason," Scholes commented to Sky Bet. The former player even criticized the club for thinking about signings of a lower level than the expectations of winning the league. "Where are your ambitions? I'm talking about winning the Premier League. Are you going to achieve it with De Ligt and Leny Yoro as centre-backs?" Scholes questioned.

Is De Ligt the only one to blame?

While it is true that De Ligt has not shown his best version at Manchester United, it is important to ask whether he is the only one responsible for the situation. The team as a whole has performed far below expectations, and the lack of a solid sports project and a clear idea of play does not help players to perform to their full potential.

In addition, the pressure on De Ligt is enormous. His high transfer price makes him the centre of attention and any error or failure is magnified. The player needs confidence and support to develop his game and show why he was considered one of the most promising centre-backs in the world.

What does the future hold for De Ligt?

De Ligt's future at Manchester United is uncertain. If the criticism persists and his performance does not improve, it would not be unreasonable to think of a possible departure from the club in the next transfer market. However, it is also true that the player has talent and potential to succeed at Old Trafford. Everything will depend on whether he is able to adapt to the team's style of play and regain confidence in himself.

In any case, De Ligt's situation is a clear reflection of the crisis that Manchester United is experiencing. A team that needs a deep restructuring both in the sporting and institutional levels to become the giant it once was.