Dutch central defender Matthijs de Ligt acknowledged that the expectations at Old Trafford are unmatched compared to the start of his career: “It’s truly an extraordinary club.”
With a career that includes Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, De Ligt is now living a new adventure at Manchester United, an experience different from his past ones.
“It’s a really big club, an extraordinary club, and I have to say there’s a lot of pressure. I’ve played in several big clubs, and the pressure has always been high. But here, it feels like the pressure is worldwide, the strongest I’ve ever experienced,” admitted the defender.
However, this pressure sometimes feels excessive, as De Ligt pointed out. He reflected on the particular moment the Red Devils are going through:
“It’s not easy to deal with, especially for younger players. I’ve gained experience in other big clubs, so maybe it’s a little easier for me”, he explained.
The defender also emphasized the importance of fan support in overcoming such challenges: “I suppose for other players, it might be harder. That’s why it’s crucial for the fans to support us, to give confidence to all the players,” De Ligt added.