Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has been very impressed with the noticeable improvement displayed by Matthijs de Ligt this season.
The Dutchman only turned 26 last month, but has already been playing at the highest level for almost seven years. The defender became the captain of Ajax at the tender age of 18, before sealing a transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2019.
Three years later, De Ligt was on the move again, joining Bayern Munich, before being swayed by his compatriot and old Ajax mentor, Erik ten Hag, who convinced him to join Man Utd in the summer of 2024.
Matthijs de Ligt has established himself as a protagonist at Man United
The 26-year-old had his highs and lows in his first season at Old Trafford, which was no surprise considering all the turmoil that unfolded throughout a campaign that saw MUFC hit new lows.
Despite losing his main sponsor, Ten Hag, in October, De Ligt remained a regular starter, and was still able to produce solid displays at the back.
This season, the Dutch defender has been showing further improvements in his game. He has also established himself as the first choice for the central defender role in Amorim’s three-man backline, which has seen Harry Maguire reduced to a back-up role.
Rio Ferdinand has been impressed by ‘magnificent’ De Ligt
Therefore, De Ligt has now earned the blessing from one of United’s most celebrated defenders of all time, as Ferdinand poured lavish praise on the Netherlands international.
“Matthijs de Ligt has been magnificent this season, solid in all departments.” said the former England star in his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents.
Matthijs de Ligt Appreciation Post 👊🏽
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 22, 2025
“I think he’s kinda put himself in place to be the first name on the sheet if we go by [Leny] Yoro being a sub at the weekend. You think that De Ligt now looks like the number one choice defender in the team form the manager’s point of view.
“I think he’s been so sound, and the fact that he’s keeping Harry Maguire out of the team says everything.”
De Ligt has started in all five of Man Utd’s Premier League contests this season, and also came off the bench in the shocking Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town.
